Iraq News

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will visit the US on July 21 for the first time after US pullout from Iraqi cities late June. During his several days visit, Al Maliki is due to visit US Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in New-York as well as US President Barack Obama in Washington. Al Maliki talks in Washington will tackle full pullout strategy at the end of 2011 and future relations in the wake of US pullout. In another context, Al Maliki pointed out that Kirkuk issue can not be solved by force noting the government’s determination to hold Provincial council elections before the end of the current year. Kirkuk issue necessitates the openness of all Iraqi factions in order to carry out elections, Al Maliki told reporters through the National Media Center Website related to Ministers Council Secretariat. Al Maliki revealed that he plans to visit Kirkuk soon. As for Kurdish Security Forces role, Al Maliki affirmed that the presence of some Peshmerga units has been approved by the Iraqi while remaining forces are not covered.