U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met Iraqi officials, including Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi, on an unannounced visit to Baghdad on Wednesday, the parliament's spokesman said.
Pompeo is expected to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, President Barham Salih and Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim to discuss the fight against Daesh terror group, according to Iraqi media.
Pompeo visited Jordan on Tuesday, on the first leg of an expansive eight-stop tour of the Middle East in an effort to assure U.S. partners of Washington's commitment to the region.
Pompeo's talks, on the second leg of a key Middle East tour, come less than two weeks after President Donald Trump drew criticism for failing to meet a single Iraqi official during a surprise Christmas visit to U.S. troops.