Iraqi politicians and military leaders have criticised Donald Trump’s visit to US troops in the country.

Calling it a "blatant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty" Sabah al Saadi, the former head of Iraq’s integrity commission and leader of the powerful Islah parliamentary bloc, called for an emergency session of parliament.

He described Mr Trump's visit as "aggressive" before claiming the US president "should know his limits."

He said: "The US occupation of Iraq is over.”

His comments came as it was revealed that a meeting between the Mr Trump and Iraq's prime minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi​ had been cancelled.

The US had informed Iraqi authorities of the visit prior to Mr Trump’s arrival, but Mr Abdul Mahdi’s office said in a statement that the pair had talked by telephone due to a “disagreement over how to conduct the meeting.”

Iraqi politicians suggested that the two leaders had disagreed over where their planned meeting should take place. Mr Trump had asked to meet at the Ain al-Asad military base, an offer which Mr Abdul Mahdi declined.

The Bina parliamentary bloc, Islah's rival in parliament and led by Iran-backed militia leader Hadi al-Amiri, also objected to Mr Trump’s trip to Iraq.

“Trump’s visit is a flagrant and clear violation of diplomatic norms and shows his disdain and hostility in his dealings with the Iraqi government,” Bina said in a statement.

The bloc also said Mr Trump’s visit “places many question marks on the nature of the US military presence and its real objectives, and what these objectives could pose to the security of Iraq.”

Mr Trump’s Christmas visit to the country was unexpected after he had previously said it was not “overly necessary” for him to see the troops.

Speaking at the al-Asad Air Base, about 100 miles west of Baghdad, Mr Trump defended his decision to pull forces from neighbouring Syria. Of Isis he said: “We’ve knocked them out. We’ve knocked them silly.”

But his appraisal is at odds with US military officials, aides and allies who still consider Isis a diminished but deadly force.

“We’ll be watching them very, very closely, the remnants of Isis,” Mr Trump told the troops, who greeted the president with chants of “USA, USA”.

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Iraqi leaders declared an end to combat operations against Isis a year ago but the country’s political, military and economic situation remains uncertain.

It continues to experience sporadic bombings, kidnappings and assassinations, which most people attribute to Isis.

Around 5,200 US troops train and advise Iraqi forces in countering the threat from militants.

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