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Iraq president calls for restraint after meeting Trump in Davos

Stressing the need for reforms to address youth unemployment and security, Iraqi President Barham Salih said "this is not time for another conflict" after meeting with his US counterpart in Davos.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Iraq's President Barham Salih during the 50th World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2020. The Presidency of the Republic of Iraq Office/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC20LE9BTG35

Iraqi President Barham Salih said he had a very good and candid conversation with US President Donald Trump at Davos today, in which Salih said he repeatedly urged restraint and stressed that the region cannot afford another conflict. His comments referred especially to the US-Iran escalation that has ramped up amid the Trump administration “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, and in particular after the US killing of Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike at the Baghdad airport earlier this month.

“This is a dangerous moment,” the Iraqi president, who is a Kurd, said in a question and answer session with journalist Fareed Zakaria following Salih’s speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, today. “The Middle East does not need another conflict.”

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