The US on Wednesday inaugurated its new consulate in Erbil, capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region of Iraq, the largest American diplomatic building in the world.
The sprawling complex is a reminder of the strategic weight Washington once placed on the Kurdistan region and a signal of its intent to maintain a lasting presence there.
The US Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, Michael Rigas, led the opening ceremony, which was attended by Kurdish officials and diplomats. the consulate took seven years to build.
"The new consulate we celebrate today is more than a series of buildings and infrastructure," Mr Rigas said in a speech at the ceremony. "It is a testament to the value of the relationship between the United States and the Iraqi Kurdistan Region."
He added: "We’re proud about deep and longstanding partnership with the people of
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