Obama, Renzi talk Mosul, Italy referendum

Obama, Renzi talk Mosul, Italy referendum

U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday (October 18) said he was confident that Iraqi forces leading the military operations against Islamic State in Mosul would defeat the militant group.

Obama spoke at a White House news conference alongside Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, where he said the U.S. is grateful for the help Italy has provided in the battle against IS, as well as in other diplomatic and military efforts.

Italy’s aid will come into play in the next weeks and months as Iraqi forces, backed by the U.S.-led coalition, begin an offensive to retake Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city which Islamic State seized in 2014.

Renzi’s government is working with the United States and Saudi Arabia to cut funding to the militant group. And it is a partner with Washington in supporting the UN-backed unity government in Libya, which faces its own battles with Islamic State.

On issues in Rome, Renzi thanked Obama for his help in making economic and political changes.

“I want to thank the United States of America for the extraordinary support for the battle that Italy is having in our country within Europe to affirm a paradigm of growth,” he told reporters at the briefing.

Renzi is hoping headlines from the visit will boost his campaign for a referendum in Dec. 4 on reforms that he says will streamline the lawmaking process and bring political stability to the country.

Renzi, 41, has worked hard to win White House respect.

He has been one of the most vocal supporters in Europe of free trade deals championed by Obama, but viewed with great skepticism by the center-left in Italy.

Renzi has also risked the wrath of his political family by allowing the U.S. military to use Italian bases for strikes in Libya, and only last week Rome announced it was joining a new NATO force in eastern Europe that has angered Russia and is viewed with suspicion on Italy’s left.

In addition, he was the first European leader to openly back U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 election, alarming some of his advisers who fear a backlash should Donald Trump triumph.

Later Tuesday, Obama will host Renzi and his wife at the U.S. leader’s final state dinner before his term in office ends in January.

The last time the United States threw a state dinner for Italy was in 1998. To mark the occasion this time, Italian-American celebrity chef Mario Batali will prepare the food while Grammy-winning Gwen Stefani will sing for the 500 guests.

Tags:

obama

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories