U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump greet military personnel at the dining facility during an unannounced visit to Al Asad Air Base
Reuters: Iraqi lawmakers criticize Trump visit as blow to Iraqi sovereignty
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi political and militia leaders condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s surprise visit to U.S. troops in Iraq on Wednesday as a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty, and lawmakers said a meeting between Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was canceled due to a disagreement over venue.
Sabah al Saadi, the leader of the Islah parliamentary bloc, called for an emergency session of parliament “to discuss this blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and to stop these aggressive actions by Trump who should know his limits: The U.S. occupation of Iraq is over.”
The Bina bloc, Islah’s rival in parliament and led by Iran-backed militia leader Hadi al-Amiri, also objected to Trump’s trip to Iraq.
“Trump’s visit is a flagrant and clear violation of diplomatic norms and shows his disdain and hostility in his dealings with the Iraqi government,” said a statement from Bina.
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Update: Iraqi lawmaker denounces Trump visit: 'Blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty' (Washington Times)
WNU Editor: The visit was cleared by the Iraqi government. But according to Iraqi authorities the reason why there was no face-to-face meeting was over a dispute on where should President Trump and Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi meet. My guess is that the Iraqi government wanted it in the Green Zone, but the President's security detail said it was too dangerous.
