Washington urges Baghdad to conduct rapid and transparent investigation of violence against demonstrators

by **RamblerNash** Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:00 pm

Washington urges Baghdad to conduct rapid and transparent investigation of violence against demonstrators

2019/10/17 03:13:11

US Assistant Secretary of State David Schenker has voiced support for the Iraqi government's reform efforts and urged accountability for violence against protesters.

"US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker left for Baghdad and Erbil between October 16 and 18 to discuss relations between the United States and Iraq, developments on the Iraq-Syria border, and recent demonstrations in Iraq," the embassy said in a statement.

"The Assistant Minister met in Baghdad with Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, President Barham Salih, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohammed Halbousi and National Security Advisor Faleh Al-Fayyad. Talabani and the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani. "

During his meetings, Assistant Secretary Schenker expressed his support for the Iraqi government and urged it to "conduct a prompt and transparent investigation into the violence that accompanied the recent popular demonstrations and hold those responsible to account." He also expressed grave concern over attacks against demonstrators, Iraqi security forces and the media Peace is a fundamental democratic right. "

Assistant Secretary of State Schenker reiterated the continued bilateral cooperation of the United States to support a prosperous, stable and democratic Iraq, and encourage the Iraqi government to take immediate steps to address the economic and governmental concerns of the Iraqi people.

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