The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, affirmed: The situation in Iraq has developed positively, in a tangible way.

A statement by the President’s Office stated: The President of the Republic met today, Tuesday, the Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America for Middle Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, and her accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, according to the statement, they reviewed the existing friendship and cooperation relations between the two countries.

The President of the Republic stressed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations in a way that serves mutual interests and enhances stability in the region.

He pointed out that “the people of the city of Mosul celebrated the Spring Festival spontaneously and happily yesterday, as they had not celebrated this occasion for years,” pointing out that “the situation in Iraq has developed positively in a tangible way.”

Rashid added: The government has drawn up an ambitious program to consolidate security in the country, provide the necessary services to citizens, rehabilitate the cities’ infrastructure and combat corruption.

For her part, Barbara Leaf affirmed the United States’ support for the security and stability of Iraq and the prosperity of its people, and the aspiration towards strengthening constructive cooperation relations in a way that serves common interests.

She indicated that she visited the city of Basra in 2010 and today she sees a fundamental difference in security and stability, and improvement in the private sector, indicating that there is safety and freedom for people to move around in the streets.

She added: This positive image we are working to transfer abroad, and we will encourage members of Congress to visit Iraq and see the great improvement witnessed by the Iraqi provinces and cities.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency