(VOVworld) - US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday for a six-day Gulf tour aimed at galvanising support for Iraq as it battles the Islamic State group.
Prior to the visit Carter said the success of the campaign against IS in Iraq does depend upon political and economic progress as well.
He said it's important to continue to support Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in his efforts to build a ‘multisectarian’ country.
Carter will hold talks with regional leaders including Saudi King Salman and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, and join US President Barack Obama at a Gulf summit in Riyadh on Thursday. He will also meet US officials overseeing the campaign against IS.