Iraq is set to hold early parliamentary elections in October DUBAI: Iraq and the US discussed Thursday “the mechanisms for the withdrawal of combat forces” during a meeting of senior officials. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi met with US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk to discuss these mechanism and the “transition to a new phase of strategic cooperation that develops the relationship between the two countries and enhances Iraq’s security and sovereignty,” a statement released by Kadhimi’s office said. During the meeting, both men also touched on coordination and joint cooperation in various fields and preparations for holding the next round of strategic dialogue between Iraq and the United States of America. Kadhimi then discussed with the American delegation the expansion of cooperation in the economic, cultural and commercial fields as well ways to better confront the coronavirus pandemic. Iraq is set to hold early parliamentary elections in October.