Biden Visits U.S. Troops in Iraq, Meets With Iraqi Leaders

merican Forces Press Service

July 2, 2009 - Vice President Joe Biden has arrived in Iraq to visit U.S. troops and meet with Iraqi leaders, White House officials said. Biden is scheduled to meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ayad al-Samarrai, according to a White House news release.

The news release said the vice president will reiterate the United States' commitment to fully implement the U.S.-Iraqi security and strategic framework agreements, and to carry out President Barack Obama's plan to draw down U.S. forces there.

He also will discuss with Iraq's leaders the importance of achieving the political progress that is necessary to ensure the nation's long-term stability, according to the news release.

It is Biden's second trip to Iraq in a year, and his first as vice president.