Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


US Urges New Iraqi PM to Defend Sovereignty, Protect Coalition Troops

Nike Ching

   STATE DEPARTMENT - The United States said Iraq's newly designated prime
   minister, Adnan al-Zurfi, would have the support of Washington and the
   international community if he would defend Iraq's sovereignty and
   protect U.S.-led coalition troops, while addressing "legitimate
   demands" from Iraqi protesters.'¯

   This week, Iraqi President Barham Salih's choice of the former Najaf
   governor to form a new government has faced opposition from the
   country's divided Shiite political blocs, along with the country's main
   power broker, Iran. The selection was seen as another bid to overcome
   months of unrest.

   The designation of Zurfi comes amid recent deadly rocket attacks on
   Iraqi bases housing U.S. and coalition troops. The U.S. has blamed such
   attacks on Iranian proxies in Iraq.'¯

.