Washington, DC - On May 8-9, Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon visited Baghdad for meetings with senior Iraqi government officials, including Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, as well as UN Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq Jan Kubis. Under Secretary Shannon expressed the United States’ strong support for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Iraqi people.

In Basrah Ambassador Shannon met with Governor Majid al-Nasrawi to discuss the U.S.-Iraq strategic relationship, including U.S. assistance to Iraq in the fight against Daesh, and held discussions with other local leaders and members of civil society.

He will travel to Kuwait City, Kuwait on May 10 where he will meet with senior Kuwaiti officials to discuss a range of issues. He will also meet with the UN Special Envoy to Yemen and other officials to discuss the latest developments in Yemen and how to move the peace process forward.