Iraq and United States begin preliminary negotiations on a timetable for withdrawal of army
On November 18, local time, Iraq’s national security adviser Araki confirmed that the Iraqi side had begun preliminary negotiations with the United States on the timetable for the withdrawal of troops.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, Chief of Staff Abdul Amir Yalala and Deputy Commander of Joint Operations Abdul Amir Shamari attended the meeting on behalf of the Iraqi side.
The American negotiators include Matthew Thule, the ambassador to Iraq, and the commander of the international coalition forces.
Araki said that the meeting affirmed the cooperation between the international coalition forces and the Iraqi army in combating extremist organizations, and emphasized that all operations of the international coalition forces will still comply with the Iraqi approval process.
The two sides agreed to continue to convene meetings in the next period of time to discuss and reach an agreement on the final timeline for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
