Iraqi Prime Minister to Make First Visit to the White House
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
President George W. Bush made a surprise visit to Baghdad to meet him last month. Now he plans to welcome Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to the White House for the first time.
Al-Maliki will visit July 25, the White House announced Thursday as Bush visited Germany.
Bush has praised the new prime minister for his commitment to advancing democracy and reform. Al-Maliki has promised to crack down on militias and sectarian violence, promote national reconciliation, accelerate reconstruction efforts and restore essential services such as electricity.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Tensions have arisen over allegations that U.S. soldiers raped and murdered an Iraqi teenager and killed her family. Al-Maliki has demanded an independent investigation into the case and a review of the agreement granting U.S. forces immunity from prosecution by Iraqi courts. Bush has vowed that if the charges are proved, those responsible will be punished.
Bush and al-Maliki first met on June 13, when the president showed up in Iraq unexpectedly. Al-Maliki had only five minutes notice that the president would talk to him in person, rather than on a videoconference as he expected. He told the prime minister that the United States is committed to helping the new democracy succeed.