ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi arrived in Washington on Monday ahead of a week-long visit in which the premier will meet US President Donald Trump and seek to promote enhanced economic partnership between the two countries.

Since his appointment as prime minister, breaking an internal Coordination Framework deadlock arising from Trump's outright rejection of Nouri al-Maliki's nomination, Zaidi has enjoyed strong backing from Washington, with Trump saying that he "endorsed" the businessman-turned-politician.

Zaidi's moves since to restrict weapons to the hands of the state - welcome news in Washington's corridors of power, where Iranian influence in Iraq has long been a thorn in the side - crack down on state corruption, and pave the way for heightened foreign investment have served to further boost his image from the US perspective.

"The visit, which comes at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, aims to advance Iraqi-US relations, strengthen economic and development partnerships, attract investment, and expand the role of US companies in implementing infrastructure projects," the Iraqi prime minister's office said in a statement on Monday.

"It also seeks to develop the energy, oil, and gas sectors, enhance national capabilities in the production of petroleum products and petrochemical industries, and support productive sectors in a manner that contributes to diversifying the national economy."

The statement concluded by noting that Zaidi "will present a package of strategic initiatives aimed at consolidating the foundations of the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States in line with the shared interests of both countries."

However, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella of myriad pro-Iran Iraqi armed factions, many of whom have vehemently rejected Zaidi's militia disarmament push, expressed on Sunday their "principled rejection" of the official visit, citing the “heinous crimes” of the US and Israel in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Yemen, and Palestine.

The network also dismissed the premier's bid to boost US investment in Iraq, warning "any monopolistic company seeking to exploit Iraq's resources or infringe upon the rights of its people" that "the option of defending the homeland and its legitimate interests remains steadfast."

In an interview with Sky News aired on June 27, Zaidi said that he has directed Iraq's oil, electricity, and communications ministries “to give priority” to American companies in energy, communications, technology, and development.