Abadi defends role of Iranian
Rex Tillerson
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi defended the role of an Iranian-backed paramilitary force at a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Monday in Baghdad.
 U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ( 2-L) listens as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (C) speaks during their meeting in Baghdad  Iraq October 23  2017. REUTERS/Alex Brandon/Pool
In his opening remarks at the meeting with  Tillerson   Abadi said Popular Mobilisation âis part of the Iraqi institutions â rejecting accusations that it is acting as an Iranian proxy.
 Tillerson  visited Iraq a day after a rare joint meeting with Abadi and Saudi Arabiaâs King Salman in the Saudi capital  Riyadh.
At his meeting with Abadi in Baghdad   Tillerson  urged the Iraqi government and Masoud Barzaniâs Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil to resolve their conflict on Kurdish self-determination and disputed territories through dialogue.
âWe are concerned and a bit sad  â Tillerson  said. âWe have friends in Baghdad and friends in Erbil  and we encourage all parties to enter into discussion ... and all differences can be addressed.â
âIranian militias that are in Iraq  now that the fight against Daesh and ISIS is coming to a close  those militias need to go home  â Tillerson  said on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
One of the closest groups to Iran within Popular Mobilisation  Asaib Ahl al-Haq  reacted to  Tillerson âs comment by saying it would be Americans who will be forced to leave Iraq.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) listens as Iraq's President Fuad Masum (R) speaks during their meeting in Baghdad  Iraq October 23  2017. REUTERS/Alex Brandon/Pool
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi defended the role of an Iranian-backed paramilitary force at a meeting with  [TGT]  on Monday in Baghdad.
  [TGT]  2-L) listens as Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (C) speaks during their meeting in Baghdad  Iraq October 23  2017. REUTERS/Alex Brandon/Pool
In his opening remarks at the meeting with  [TGT] Abadi said Popular Mobilisation âis part of the Iraqi institutions â rejecting accusations that it is acting as an Iranian proxy.
  [TGT] visited Iraq a day after a rare joint meeting with Abadi and Saudi Arabiaâs King Salman in the Saudi capital  Riyadh.
At  [TGT]  meeting with Abadi in Baghdad    [TGT] urged the Iraqi government and Masoud Barzaniâs Kurdistan Regional Government in Erbil to resolve their conflict on Kurdish self-determination and disputed territories through dialogue.
âWe are concerned and a bit sad  â  [TGT] said. âWe have friends in Baghdad and friends in Erbil  and we encourage all parties to enter into discussion ... and all differences can be addressed.â
âIranian militias that are in Iraq  now that the fight against Daesh and ISIS is coming to a close  those militias need to go home  â  [TGT] said on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
One of the closest groups to Iran within Popular Mobilisation  Asaib Ahl al-Haq  reacted to   [TGT]  by saying it would be Americans who will be forced to leave Iraq.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (L) listens as Iraq's President Fuad Masum (R) speaks during their meeting in Baghdad  Iraq October 23  2017. REUTERS/Alex Brandon/Pool