国际英语新闻:Iraqi PM meets U.S. Senate delegation in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi held a meeting with a U.S. Senate delegation headed by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth to discuss relations between Iraq and the U.S.

"The sacrifices made by the Iraqis have pushed the danger from the region and the world," a statement by his office quoted Abdul Mahdi as saying during the meeting.

"The war against the Islamic State (IS) is not only the Iraq war, but it is for the whole world because the danger of IS is threatening all countries," Abdul Mahdi added.

Duckworth said that "Iraq is a great country with history and cultural depth in the region and is qualified to take a big role in the region," the statement said.

Republican Senator Johnny Isakson said during the meeting that "Iraq is a long-term strategic partner and we care about its security, independence and sovereignty," the statement added.

The visit of the U.S. delegation came as the U.S. has been exerting economic sanctions on Iran and designated Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a "foreign terrorist organization."

The U.S. has over 5,000 troops deployed in Iraq with the aim of supporting the Iraqi forces in the battles against the extremist IS militants, mainly providing training and advising to the Iraqi forces.

The troops were part of the U.S.-led international coalition that has been conducting air raids against IS targets in Iraq and Syria.