President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki had what they described as wide ranging and productive discussions in a White House meeting Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters at a joint news conference, both men cited the progress Iraq has made in recent years.
"Violence continues to be down and Iraqis are taking responsibility for their own security," Obama said. "This progress is made possible by the resilience of the Iraqi people and security forces and also because of the extraordinary service of American troops."
He added, "Prime Minister Maliki and I have no doubt that there will be some tough days ahead. There will be attacks on Iraqi Security forces and the American troops supporting them."
But Obama emphasized that the improvements in the Iraqi security forces make it likely that the U.S. will be able to continue with planned withdrawals of combat brigades.
Obama said he also emphasized to Maliki the importance of addressing regional and sectarian concerns facing Iraq, such as passing a law to fairly divide up the country's oil revenue.
"America strongly supports efforts by the Iraqi government to promote national unity which will help ensure that people in all parts of Iraq can live in peace and prosperity," he said. "Iraq will be more secure and more successful if there is a place for all Iraqi citizens to thrive."
Obama and Maliki also said they looked forward to drawing up a broader strategic framework of cooperation between the two countries on other issues.
The two countries will "see great cooperation in economic, commercial and cultural activities," Maliki predicted, speaking through a translator.
Maliki noted that it was important to continue pursuing the remnants of Al Qaeda in Iraq, as sectarian conflict in Iraq could ultimately destabilize the entire region.
"We will work very hard to not allow any sectarian acts to flourish," Maliki said, adding that the government would work to promote "strong relations between the people of Iraq."
Obama concurred, but he warned that "those who want to sow the seeds of sectarian division in Iraq are going to still resort to the killing of innocents and the senseless bombings that have plagued Iraq for such a long time."
He added, "The cooperation between U.S. forces and Iraqi forces has remained high and we have every confidence that we will work together cooperatively … to assure that as we move into the national elections that Iraq continues on the progress of stability."
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