Iraq Says Announcement on Date for End to US-Led Coalition Mission Postponed

 Iraqi fishermen prepare to get on a boat in the Shatt al-Arab river, formed at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in Iraq's southern city of Basra, on August 12, 2024. (AFP)
Iraqi fishermen prepare to get on a boat in the Shatt al-Arab river, formed at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in Iraq's southern city of Basra, on August 12, 2024. (AFP)
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Iraq Says Announcement on Date for End to US-Led Coalition Mission Postponed

 Iraqi fishermen prepare to get on a boat in the Shatt al-Arab river, formed at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in Iraq's southern city of Basra, on August 12, 2024. (AFP)
Iraqi fishermen prepare to get on a boat in the Shatt al-Arab river, formed at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in Iraq's southern city of Basra, on August 12, 2024. (AFP)

Iraq's foreign ministry said on Thursday that an announcement on an end date for the US-led coalition's mission has been postponed due to the "latest developments." It did not identify the developments.

The US-Iraq Higher Military Commission, comprising officials from both countries, discussed details of withdrawing advisers from military sites, the foreign ministry said in a statement said.

It said the only remaining issues before reaching a deal on ending the coalition's presence in Iraq were agreement on an announcement date, logical aspects and other details.

A rare ally of both the US and Iran, Iraq hosts 2,500 US troops and has Iran-backed militias linked to its security forces. It has witnessed escalating tit-for-tat attacks since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza erupted in October.

On Aug. 5, at least five US personnel were injured in an attack against a military base in Iraq.

Iraq wants troops from the US-led military coalition to begin withdrawing in September and to formally end the coalition's work by September 2025, Iraqi sources have said, with some US forces likely to remain in a newly negotiated advisory capacity.



France Applauds Lebanon’s Self-Restraint

 French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, Lebanon August 15, 2024. (Reuters)
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, Lebanon August 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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France Applauds Lebanon’s Self-Restraint

 French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, Lebanon August 15, 2024. (Reuters)
French Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne meets with Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, Lebanon August 15, 2024. (Reuters)

France's Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne said on Thursday he hopes for continued non-escalation from Lebanon after Israel killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut last month.

In a meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Sejourne expressed appreciation for "self-restraint in this difficult period" in the region, according to Lebanese state news agency NNA.

"We can only be silent, patient and praying in this difficult period," NNA also cited Mikati as saying following the meeting.