Wednesday's meeting was the first of senior coalition officials since Trump announced US troops would withdraw. Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed al-Hakim called on countries to help expose Islamic State "sleeper cells" in Iraq and restore stability. Pompeo said despite progress in fighting Islamic State in Iraq, the group retained a strong presence in that country and was trying to mount a clandestine insurgency. However, Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Monday that Trump did not ask Iraq's permission for US troops stationed there to "watch Iran." The United States and Iran are Iraq's two biggest allies.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 06, 2019 21:56 UTC