Trump's Visit Fuels Iraqi Rejection

Baghdad, Dec 28 (Prensa Latina) President Donald Trump's quick visit to a US military base in Iraq fueled rejection by local legislators to his and the presence here of US troops.

Arrogant and a violation of national sovereignty were some of the comments made by Iraqi MPs, following Trump's meeting with US soldiers at Ain al-Asad air base.

The abruptness of the visit left Iraqi legislators annoyed and with unfavorable opinions about the invasion and occupation of Iraq by an Anglo-American alliance in 2003.

'Trump needs to know his limits. The US occupation in Iraq is over', said Sabah al-Saidi, chief of one of the two blocs in Parliament.

The tycoon, he added, slipped into Iraq, as if he were visiting a U.S. territory.

Several Iraqi lawmakers condemned Trump's disobedience. Trump did not meet with any official and only spoke on the phone with Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi.

In the meantime, the unexpected presence of the U.S. president could unleash unforeseeable consequences, including a debate in parliament to expel the Pentagon from the country.

However, Trump said he had no plans to withdraw the 5,200 soldiers from Iraq and assured that the Ain al-Asad base could facilitate air strikes against positions in neighboring Syria.

That approach contrasts with the current feelings of Iraqi politics, which is willing to be sovereign on the outside and not lend support to regional conflicts.

The US troops remain in Iraq as part of an international coalition to fight the Islamic State terrorist group.

The Pentagon withdrew its troops in 2011 after the invasion and occupation of 2003 but returned in 2014 at the request of the Iraqi government to fight radical groups.