New Trump order drops Iraq from travel ban list

Washington: US officials said President Donald Trump’s new immigration order will remove Iraq from the list of countries whose citizens face a temporary US travel ban.

Four officials say the administration’s decision follows pressure from the Pentagon and State Department.

They had urged the White House to reconsider Iraq’s inclusion given its key role in fighting the Islamic State group.

The new order is designed to replace an earlier Trump order that was blocked by federal courts.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the order before it is signed.

They said six countries Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen will remain on the travel ban list.

–PTI