• Johnson expressed his strong support for the Iraq government
• Both leaders discussed issues of bilateral interest, and discussed recent political and security issues

Arab News

LONDON: Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi and his British counterpart Boris Johnson discussed security challenges in the Middle East on Thursday.

Al-Khadimi met the UK leader at Downing Street as part of a European tour.

Johnson expressed his strong support for the Iraq government as they discussed economic reforms, the coronavirus pandemic and the continued effort to defeat Daesh.

The Twitter account of Al-Kadhimi’s office said both leaders discussed issues of bilateral interest, and discussed recent political and security issues in Iraq and the region.

They also agreed on more cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

“It was agreed to increase more cooperation in the field of combating terrorism, as well as in the political and economic sectors, in light of the economic challenges that Iraq faces,” his office said.

Prior to his UK trip, Al-Kadhimi met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

During these visits, Al-Kadhimi discussed Iraq’s main challenges such as the fight against terrorism and foreign interference in its affairs.

The Iraqi leader, who became prime minister in May, has a particularly affinity with the UK, having lived there for many years after fleeing Iraq in the 1980s.