Iraq PM to meet Trump in Washington next week: Govt spokesperson

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi will travel to the United States on Monday to meet President Donald Trump during his first international trip since taking office, a government spokesperson said.

Zaidi, who came to power this year with Trump's backing, took office amid growing U.S. pressure on Baghdad to disarm pro-Iran armed groups that have frequently targeted U.S. facilities in Iraq.

During his weeklong visit to Washington, Zaidi hopes to attract U.S. investment to Iraq, which is seeking to bolster its economy after suffering significant revenue losses from the disruption of oil exports caused by the Middle East war.

Zaidi is "heading to Washington on Monday, leading a high-level delegation, at the invitation of the U.S. president," government spokesperson Haidar al-Aboudi said Sunday.

It remains unclear when Zaidi will meet Trump.

The talks will focus on "strengthening economic relations and investments," particularly in the oil and power sectors, Aboudi said.

The state's monopoly on arms is necessary to "ensure internal stability ... and attract investments capable of boosting" the economy, he added.

Zaidi has pledged to ensure pro-Iran armed groups surrender their weapons, but he faces resistance from several powerful factions.

Oil-rich Iraq has long balanced the competing influence of neighboring Iran and the United States.

The country has sought to move beyond decades of war and instability but continues to struggle with poor infrastructure, failing public services, mismanagement and endemic corruption.

In recent months, Iraq has signed several agreements with U.S. companies in the oil sector.

During the visit, Zaidi is expected to sign additional agreements, including a deal to establish a fund into which Iraq will deposit 500,000 barrels of oil per day in exchange for increasing the country's electricity supply.

In a show of support for Zaidi's government, the United States has resumed cash shipments of Iraq's oil revenues, which have been held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York since 2003.

Washington suspended the transfers earlier this year as it increased pressure on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed armed groups.