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Britain pledges USD 67 mln for Iraqi rebuilding efforts

BAGHDAD, Nov 29 (KUNA) -- Visiting British Prime Minister Theresa May Wednesday pledged 50 million pound (about USD 67 million) to support infrastructure projects and restore stability in Iraq.
In a joint press briefing with her Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi, May said her country is working to secure 20 million pound (USD 26.8 million) to back human rights and offer services in the country in the upcoming years.
A sum of 30 million pound (about USD 40.2 million) is allocated to support reforms in Iraq, she stated.
Programs of restoring stability could provide a safe environment for the return of displaced people, she noted, vowing that her country would continue backing Iraq.
She lauded braveness of the Iraqi forces standing in front fronts to counter terrorism.
She pointed out that the United Kingdom supported and will continue its backing to Iraq as part of the international coalition, as long as Baghdad needs this support for achieving peace in the region and building a unified Iraq.
For his part, al-Abadi said the bilateral relations have witnessed a noticeable development in countering terrorism, training the Iraqi army, providing an air coverage, securing intelligence information, offering logistic support to the Iraqi forces and restoring stability in the country's liberated areas.
Earlier today, May arrived in Iraq on an official visit during which she met the British forces centered on a camp north of the capital, and then held talks with al-Abadi. (end) aah.hm