Obama thanks Italy for protecting Mosul

(ANSA) - Washington, February 8 - United States President Barack Obama on Monday thanked Italy for protecting the Mosul Dam in Iraq. Speaking after meeting President Sergio mattarella at the White House, Obama said "I thanked Italy very much for its notable contribution in training soldiers in Iraq and for the important role that it will play in protecting the Mosul Dam which is extremely important for the Iraqi people". Italy's Trevi construction group recently landed the contract to repair and maintain the dam which was taken back from ISIS last year.