Trump calls al-Zaidi and extends an official invitation for him to visit Washington

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump congratulated Ali Faleh al-Zaidi on his official appointment to form the new Iraqi government, extending to him an official invitation to visit Washington after the government is formed.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “Prime Minister-designate Ali Faleh al-Zaidi received a phone call from US President Donald Trump, during which he congratulated al-Zaidi on his official appointment to form the new government, and extended an official invitation to him to visit Washington after the government is formed.”

The statement added that “the call included a review of the strategic bilateral relations between Iraq and the United States, and ways to develop and strengthen them in various fields, as well as the two sides’ emphasis on joint work and bilateral cooperation in order to consolidate stability in the region.”

Trump’s call to al-Zaidi came about an hour after a similar call the prime minister-designate received from US envoy Tom Barrack, who also congratulated him on being tasked with forming the new Iraqi government, and discussed with him ways to strengthen relations between the two countries.

The ruling Shiite coalition forces in Iraq announced last Monday the nomination of Ali al-Zidi for the premiership, after Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Nouri al-Maliki withdrew from the race for the position.

Shafaq.com