Office of the Spokesperson
The following is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus:
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met today with Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi, President Barham Salih, and Council of Representatives Speaker Mohamed Halbusi. Under Secretary Hale discussed bilateral and regional issues, including the consequences of the protests in Iraq and the region. The Under Secretary called for steps to protect protestors, journalists, and civil society activists from assassination and violence at the behest of armed groups. He affirmed America’s enduring commitment to a secure, stable, and sovereign Iraq, free of external intervention.