US Vice President Visits to Iraq
VOA News 03 July 2010
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Iraq where he is expected to hold talks with officials on the country's election deadlock.
Biden arrived in Baghdad Saturday on a visit that had not been previously announced by the White House.
He was greeted by officials that include U.S. ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill and General Ray Odierno, the top U.S. military commander in the country.
The Associated Press says Biden will visit U.S. troops to mark the July 4th anniversary of U.S. independence.
Iraq has been hit with a wave of violence since March parliamentary elections failed to determine a clear majority. Officials fear insurgents may be taking advantage of the political deadlock and try to derail security plans.
The unrest has an impact on the U.S. timetable for withdrawing its forces from Iraq. U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered the withdrawal of all combat forces from the country by September, with 50,000 troops to remain.
Under a security agreement, all U.S. troops must pull out by the end of 2011.
No political group emerged from Iraq's March 7 election with enough parliamentary seats to form a majority. Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's alliance won the most seats - two more than a coalition lead by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Mr. Maliki has insisted he should lead the government. After the election, his coalition teamed up with the third-place Iraqi National Alliance.
A U.S. congressional delegation led by Republican Senator John McCain is on a separate visit to Iraq to meet with government officials.
Biden last visited Iraq in January.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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