US President Joe Biden will meet Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi at the White House on Monday. Biden is expected to announce a ‘new phase’ of the US military presence in Iraq. Biden could end the combat operations in Iraq, but it is still unclear if he will announce a full withdrawal.

In the talks between Iraq and US, the military presence is expected to be one of the key issues. Kadhemi, a weakened leader under intense pressure from pro-Tehran armed factions demanding the withdrawal of 2,500 US troops still deployed in the country.

The White House said that the two leaders will also discuss the COVID-19 pandemic, with the US expected to support the African nation. The US will also back the Iraqi sector in the fight against climate change.

But the main thrust is to provide Kadhemi — in power for little over a year — support to hold onto his job and keep up the fight against the Islamic State group — while also keeping a damper on Iran’s influence in Iraq.

A senior US official told AFP that Kadhemi was a problem solver and a leader who does not try to use problems for his political interests.

Iraqi Foreign Minister also announced ahead of the PM’s visit that the talks would lay the groundwork for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq. The talks would set a timetable for the withdrawl, Faud Hussein told Iraqi media.

But US wants to maintain a presence to at least support Iraqi forces fighting to prevent a revival of Islamic State.

Last week the group, also known as ISIS, claimed a suicide bombing at a Baghdad market that killed 30 people.

A drone attack was carried out Friday on a military base in Iraqi Kurdistan that hosts American troops, but did not cause any casualties.