Rubio calls on Iraq to disarm Iran-backed militias

(Patria) - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called on Baghdad to disarm Iran-backed militias that undermine Iraq's sovereignty, the State Department announced, Al Arabiya reported.

Rubio made the remarks in a phone call with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

"The Secretary stressed the urgency of disarming Iran-backed militias that undermine Iraq's sovereignty, threaten the lives and livelihoods of Americans and Iraqis, and steal Iraqi resources for Iran," the State Department said.

Efforts to finalize US commercial agreements in Iraq were also discussed on Tuesday. Earlier this week, Sudani said his country would sign an agreement with US liquefied natural gas company Excelerate Energy to supply Iraq with US gas.

Rubio congratulated the Iraqi Prime Minister on the resumption of oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline.

"The Secretary reiterated the US commitment to working closely with Iraqi partners to advance our shared interests: preserving Iraq's sovereignty, strengthening regional stability, and enhancing our economic ties," the State Department said.

Washington and Baghdad reached an agreement last year to reduce the number of US-led coalition troops fighting ISIS. US troops will relocate their main base to Erbil but retain a small number of military advisors in Baghdad.

US officials said their focus is now on fighting ISIS in Syria.