General Joe Votel, head of US Central Command

AFP: US-Iraq military relations not impacted by election: US general

Washington (AFP) - The US military's relationship with Iraq's security forces will not be impacted by the election win of Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose followers fought US troops in past years, a top general said Friday.

General Joe Votel, who heads the US military's Central Command, which oversees forces in the Middle East, told AFP he had confidence in the positive dynamic built up while the Iraqis fought the Islamic State jihadist group for three years.

"They are very focused on continuing to provide protection for their people and increasing the capabilities and professionalism of their force, so I think we have a very good relationship and their military -- much like our military -- is very apolitical," Votel said in a phone interview.

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WNU Editor: I disagree with General Votel's assessment. If there is one thing that the Iraqi election has taught us is that many voters want change .... and that that includes the county's relationship with the US.