BAGHDAD, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Sunday praised Australia's support for his country in its fight against the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
Abadi made the comments in a statement following his meeting with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott, who arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad earlier on Sunday to discuss bilateral ties and efforts to fight the IS.
"For months, Australia has presented jet fighters and reconnaissance planes to detect the movements of terrorist gangs Daesh (first Arabic letters of IS) and hit their locations, as well as training our troops in military bases that were named by the Iraqi government," Abadi said.
For his part, the Australian premier said "we have come to Baghdad today to renew our support and stand with the Iraqis in their war against Daesh that threatens the whole world. We have seen how they displaced millions, cut off heads and carried out mass executions."
"We are determined to deepen cooperation with Iraq, and we are looking forward to establish constructive and positive partnership relations with Iraq," Abbott said, adding that his country is continuing to provide humanitarian aid and weapons within the efforts of the international coalition.
Another statement issued by the Iraqi presidency said that President Fuad Masoum received Abbott at his office in Baghdad Green Zone.
"President Masoum praised Australia's instrumental role in supporting Iraq in the fields of humanitarian aid and military effort, while Iraq is fighting against terrorism," the presidency statement said.
Australia is part of the U.S.-led coalition and its aircraft participated in many air strikes against the IS militants in Iraq, in addition to deploying military advisors to train the Iraqi forces.
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