WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden congratulated Saturday evening the government of Iraq on hosting "a successful and ground-breaking regional summit."

He, in a statement, said: I congratulate the government of Iraq on hosting a successful and ground-breaking regional summit today.

"This kind of diplomacy has never been more important as we seek to ease tensions among neighboring states and expand cooperation across the Middle East, and Iraq's leadership on this is historic."

Biden also thanked French President Emmanuel Macron "for his engagement and support for this summit."

He added that the US "continues to stand with our partner Iraq as we work together toward greater stability across the Middle East."

"We remain committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship under the Strategic Framework Agreement," he affirmed.

"Diplomacy must be the first tool of our foreign policy, and we are grateful to have partners who share that vision," Biden remarked.

Biden added, “When Prime Minister Al-Kadhemi and I met in the Oval Office last month, we discussed Iraq’s important role in the region.”

He also stressed on “the significant efforts led by the government of Iraq, including the Kurdistan regional government, to improve and strengthen the ties between Iraq and its neighbors.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Saturday with Iraqi President Barham Saleh and reaffirmed the US government's "long-term commitment to a strong, stable and prosperous Iraq."

State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that Blinken reiterated, "The defeat-(IS) mission is not over but is shifting to a new phase based on the enhanced capabilities of the Iraqi security forces."

Blinken also praised "the government of Iraq's efforts to hold free and fair elections on Oct. 10." — Agencies