US Chargé d'Affaires in Baghdad Harris issues farewell message to Iraqis

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Joshua Harris, the US Chargé d'Affaires in Iraq, released a farewell message to Iraqis on Friday as his tenure came to an end. In a video address published by the US Embassy, Harris said US relations with Iraq have been shaped by respect for Iraqi sovereignty, counterterrorism cooperation, security strengthening and the advancement of economic and commercial ties. Harris, who served as the head of the US diplomatic mission in Baghdad, said it had been an honor to represent Washington and that his team had prioritized building a strong and mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries. He added that efforts had focused on developing private-sector partnerships grounded in global technologies and American innovation. The chargé d'affaires said the United States would continue to support shared priorities and back the Iraqi government's vision of a secure and prosperous future free of terrorism. He also said economic cooperation delivering tangible benefits to both sides would be deepened.