Washington - MENA
US President Barack Obama stopped by a meeting on Friday between Vice President Joe Biden and Salim al Jabouri, the speaker of Iraq's Council of Representatives.
The White House said Obama and Biden commended Jabouri for his leadership in parliament and his efforts to bolster Iraq's democracy and national unity, the Voice of America reported.
They also discussed efforts to degrade and destroy the so-called Islamic State militants, including the importance of mobilizing tribal fighters in support of Baghdad's Anbar liberation plan.
Jabouri thanked the United States for its humanitarian contribution in response to a UN appeal for Iraq. Biden also announced an additional $9 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq, bringing the US total aid to $416 million since 2014.
Jabouri also met on Friday with US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter at the Pentagon to discuss progress in the fight against the IS group.
The Obama administration on Wednesday authorized 450 additional troops for Iraq, bringing the number of US military personnel there to 3,500.