Germany committed over long-term to help Iraq rebuild: defense minister

[Pitcher]

TAJI, Iraq (Reuters) - German forces will be needed in Iraq for a long time to help rebuild the country’s military as it struggles to ensure that Islamic State militants do not regroup in underground cells, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday. 

Germany, which has about 125 soldiers in Iraq, is committed to supporting Baghdad as it rebuilds now that the fight to reclaim territory formerly held by Islamic State (IS)militants is largely over, she said during a visit to German troops at the Taji military base about 30 kms north of Baghdad. 

“The fight against IS left deep wounds and scars in the country. It will take patience ... to strengthen Iraq again,” she said when asked why Germany was bracing for a longer-term engagement in Iraq. “This is about a reconstruction of a country in all areas.” 

Iraq not only needed stability but also economic growth and cooperation, von der Leyen told reporters, noting that Germany had invested about 1.4 billion euros ($1.63 billion)in Iraq since 2014. 

Germany this year began shifting its military training activities to the central part of Iraq after focusing in the past more on training Kurdish Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq. 

German forces will also advise the Iraqi defense ministry on issues such as mine-clearing and development of defenses against nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, von der Leyen said. 

She welcomed news that Iraq’s parliament had elected Sunni lawmaker Mohammed al-Halbousi as speaker on Saturday, calling it an important step in the right direction. 

Von der Leyen, whose government is in talks about a possible role for Germany in military strikes against future chemical weapons use in Syria, said all players in the possible future Iraqi government had said they hoped for Germany’s longer-term commitment to Iraq. 

On Saturday, during a visit to German forces in Jordan, von der Leyen had said she could not rule out a longer-term deployment of German forces in the Middle East. 

($1 = 0.8600 euros) 

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-germany/germany-committed-over-long-term-to-help-iraq-rebuild-defense-minister-idUSKCN1LW0GQ?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Reuters%2FworldNews+(Reuters+World+News)&&rpc=401

 

[nannab]

   Keep em coming Mr. Pitcher 

[Pitcher]

Germany ready to 'help Iraq back on its feet'

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German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Iraq on Saturday to discuss her country's intention to develop its military assistance program in the country, Deutsche Welle reported on Sunday.

Von der Leyen said that following ISIS militant group's military defeat in Iraq, it is time to move forward with other endeavors, including stabilization and reconstruction.

 

"Now it is important to shape and protect the reconstruction of the country under a new mandate," said von der Leyen. "Germany is ready to continue helping Iraq get back on its feet. That is why I am here."

 

In February, von der Leyen said the role of the Bundeswehr — Germany's armed forces — needed to evolve to meet the "needs of Iraq."

 

At the time, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Baghdad wanted a "commitment from Germany" for "other forms of engagement," including training and logistics.

 

Since 2014, Germany has provided Iraq with more than €1 billion ($1.16 billion) in humanitarian and development aid, making the Middle Eastern country one of the largest recipients of German foreign assistance.

 

Berlin also has about 150 troops stationed in northern Iraq to train Kurdish peshmerga and runs a pilot training program north of Baghdad.

 

https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/31509/Germany-ready-to-help-Iraq-back-on-its-feet

 

 

[Butifldrm]

Economy

Monday 29 October 2018 10:40 am

| Number of readings: 86

The German government provides $ 7 million to liberated areas in Iraq

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) on Monday welcomed the assistance of 6 million euros (US $ 7 million) from the German government to Iraq.

"This assistance will contribute to supporting capacity building activities and recovery efforts in the governorates of Salah al-Din, Anbar, Ninewa and also in Mosul," said a UNAMI statement.

"With this contribution, WFP will be able to scale up capacity building activities and improve the livelihoods of more than 70,000 vulnerable Iraqis by rehabilitating damaged irrigation channels, agricultural infrastructure, productive assets and markets as well as the value chain and creating favorable conditions for Singles ".

The statement said that "6300 people will benefit directly from this contribution as these people will engage in intensive work plans on the basis of money for work and will support 37 thousand and 800 families in areas of return."

http://aynaliraqnews.com/index.php?aa=news&id22=107556