July 2, 2009
Posted: July 2nd, 2009 12:53 PM ET
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad Thursday, where he will underscore Washington's commitment to a drawdown of American forces there, the White House said. Biden is to meet with Iraqi and U.S. military officials and will also speak with troops. He is expected to deliver a speech to troops on Saturday, the Fourth of July, and may visit another city. The trip comes a couple of days after U.S. combat troops withdrew from urban centers in the country, and left security duties in cities like Baghdad, Mosul, Basra and other communities to Iraqi security forces.
That move is part of a bilateral U.S.-Iraqi security agreement that calls for all U.S. troops to depart Iraq by the end of 2011. Among the officials Biden will meet are President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Parliament Speaker Ayad al-Samarrai. Biden will discuss with Iraq's leaders the importance of achieving the political progress that is necessary to ensure the nation's long-term stability. It is Biden's second trip to Iraq this year; but his first as vice president. (updated 1:30 pm ET with additional information)
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