CENTCOM Commander Visiting Baghdad and Erbil

United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Lloyd Austin today visited Baghdad and Erbil and held talks with Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi and Kurdish President Massoud Barzani.

Kurdish news agency Rudaw said President Barzani and Gen. Austin discussed latest developments in the fight against the Islamic State and the growing number of refugees in Kurdistan.

Iraqi News said that Gen. Austin and Prime Minister-designate Abadi discussed the security situation in Iraq and the region.

“Dr. Al-Abadi stressed the importance of security cooperation between Iraq and the United States,” said a statement issued by the office of the PM-designate. (IraqiNews.com, 27 August)

Top photo: CENTCOM Commander General Lloyd Austin (center left ) and his delegation meeting with Kurdish President Massoud Barzani (center right) and the Kurdish delegation. Erbil, 27 August 2014 (Rudaw)

Bottom photo: General Lloyd Austin (l.) meeting with Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi. Baghdad, 27 August 2014 (IraqNews.com)