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Source: Dubai – Arabia.net
“The United States is committed to a long-term relationship with Iraq,” said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.
Ortagus told Al-Arabiya on Thursday that pro-Iranian militias are destabilizing Iraq.
He also added that “President Donald Trump is determined to protect our soldiers in Iraq.”
For their part, joint Iraqi operations highlighted the country’s determination to protect diplomatic missions, confirming to Al-Arabiya on Thursday: “We are determined to pursue and arrest the rocket launchers.”
Israel and Lebanon
As for the forthcoming negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to demarcate the borders, the US State Department spokesperson considered that “reaching an agreement on the negotiations between Lebanon and Israel is a success in itself.”
He explained that “the Lebanese-Israeli negotiation agreement took years of work,” and stressed that “the Trump administration is working to promote peace in the region.”
In addition, he stressed that “our policy against Hezbollah is constant and does not change,” noting that “Hezbollah is a terrorist organization, and we are working with the government of Lebanon.”
Don’t be complacent
Notably, early Thursday, Undersecretary of State David Schenker announced that Washington would not tolerate attacks by pro-Iranian militias in Iraq.
Schenker said the United States will not hesitate to act to protect American soldiers in Iraq, stressing that Iranian-backed militias in Iraq are a major problem.
David schenker
Regarding the demarcation of the border between Lebanon and Israel, he explained that the spokesman of the Lebanese Parliament, Nabih Berri, is responsible for the file of negotiations with Israel on the demarcation of the borders, noting that the office of President Michel Aoun will put the names of the negotiating delegation.
In addition, he stressed that Washington does not deal with Hezbollah, indicating that this agreement took 3 years due to the sensitivity of the parties.
The launch of the “weapons inventory”
Notably, the Iraqi Interior Ministry announced Thursday the launch of the weapons inventory process from the capital Baghdad.
The authorities also revealed the detention of suspects in diplomatic missions, noting that the investigations had achieved “great and important” results.
In turn, the Joint Operations Command in Iraq confirmed that attacking the diplomatic headquarters in Baghdad is a “terrorist act.”
Lebanon and the demarcation of the border with Israel
Earlier Thursday, Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced that his country would hold UN-mediated talks with Israel over disputed land and sea borders.
Berri also confirmed that the United States will play the role of facilitating the talks, which are supposed to take place in the border town of Naqoura, without announcing a start date.
Furthermore, he explained that a framework had been agreed to negotiate with Israel on maritime borders.
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