Readout of Vice President Biden's Call with Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq

The Vice President spoke today with Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to discuss the campaign to liberate Mosul and the broader campaign to defeat ISIL in Iraq. The Vice President commended Iraqi Security Forces for their battlefield successes against ISIL and pledged continued U.S. support pursuant to our Strategic Framework Agreement. He also extended condolences to the families of those killed in the battle to liberate Mosul and wished a speedy recovery to the wounded. He also commended the close ongoing cooperation between the Iraqi Security Forces and Kurdish Peshmerga. The Vice President reaffirmed U.S. respect for Iraq's territorial integrity and sovereignty. He also underscored the importance to U.S. interests of building on the successful U.S.-Iraq partnership in the years ahead to protect strategic gains and to ensure Iraq's lasting stability.