U.S. Defense Secretary: We will continue to support Iraq

On Friday during a previously unannounced visit to Iraq, Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and U.S. troops.

At a meeting with Iraqi prime minister, postponed from Thursday to Friday morning, Defense Secretary repeated previous declarations that the U.S. will continue to support Iraq. In Baghdad, is being investigated bomb blasts on Tuesday, which killed 127 people. Gates also said that he and Prime Minister of Iraq to discuss security issues in the country since 2011 scheduled for the drawdown of troops.

Upon completion of negotiations with the Maliki Robert Gates met with U.S. troops based in Kirkuk. Gates told the soldiers that would not be surprised if the United States and Iraq have signed an agreement under which, and after 2011 the U.S. will “prepare, equip and advise” the Iraqi forces.

U.S. Defense Secretary commented on the Arab-Kurdish relations, expressing the belief that Arabs and Kurds to reach a compromise, and called them after the March elections as soon as possible to form a government, composed of both Kurds and Arabs.

The Kurds are trying to expand the jurisdiction of its semi-autonomous administration in the Kirkuk area, which has historically been Kurdish. However, Arabs and Turkmen strongly opposed to any changes.