Senators: Iraq needs new government soon
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/07/03/art.mccain.lieberman.gi.jpg caption="Sens. McCain, Lieberman and Graham are in Iraq."](CNN) - A delegation of U.S. senators on a visit to Iraq said they were impressed with the progress the country has made over the past few years, but urged political factions to form a new government soon.
Senators John McCain, R-Arizona, Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut, and Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, spoke to reporters at a news conference during their visit Saturday.
Vice President Joe Biden also arrived in Iraq Saturday to celeberate the July 4 holiday with U.S. troops.
"Baghdad to us now is a very different city than when we first came here," Lieberman said. "It's thriving, it's clean, there's growth going on, it's great to see."
McCain echoed those sentiments, noting that the delegation was able to walk through downtown Baghdad to a bakery.
Graham added, "What's happened in three years is amazing."
The U.S. senators also pressed Iraqi politicians to select a new government. Elections were held in March, where former Prime Minister's Ayad Allawi's bloc slightly edged out a bloc led by current Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. The newly sworn in Iraqi parliament has begun negotiations to choose a new government, including a new prime minister, but the process has been slow.
A new government should be selected that reflects the election results and the will of the Iraqi people, McCain said. Hopefully the negotiations will provide results as soon as possible, he said.
Graham honored the American troops and Iraqi troops who lost their lives in the war.
"The Iraqi people have suffered for their own freedom," he said.
From CNN Politics
- First on CNN: Biden administration expected to name GOP official who challenged Trump's lies to key election security role October 26, 2021 12:06 am
- Family members of Americans detained abroad call on Biden administration to do more October 25, 2021 11:46 pm
- Manchin sees deal on Biden agenda this week, resists Medicare expansion October 25, 2021 11:22 pm
- Trump endorsed Herschel Walker, Max Miller and Sean Parnell. They're now facing scrutiny over their pasts October 25, 2021 10:33 pm
- Here's how Democrats want to tax billionaires' capital gains October 25, 2021 10:06 pm
- Capitol Police division protecting congressional leadership was unprepared for January 6, department watchdog says October 25, 2021 09:52 pm
Well, why don't you 3 clowns put a government in while you're over there.
Crazy McCain and Lieber-crank. A bunch of real winners there.
Look at the picture and it tells all:
Crazy McCain and Lieber-crank who never get anything correct.
Find the WMDs yet?
What a picture; three ignorant crybabies!
after squandering over 4 thousand american soldiers lives and a trillion dollars of our countrys wealth McCain Lieberman the chicken hawks are now happy with Iraq what a great day this must be
I hope they dont forget to thank Oboma for his role in getting us out of that quagmire we called the liberation of the iraqi people
Larry, Moe and Curly. Taking a mideast junket while they deny the unemployed their benefits. What a swell threesome!
Republicans would get a hard-on thinking about a endless war.
This is about as ironic as sending AG Holder to Pakistan to discuss political corruption... Unless of course he is giving them some "How to" pointers.
America needs a new Republican party soon. The current GOBP is a morally bankrupt, intellectually dishonest group of corporate toadies and theocratic wannabes. We need new ideas, not disproven BS about tax cuts for the rich and deregulation.
What an endearing photo of jew Lieberman and his two Shabbos Goy buddies. They'd all throw America to the wolves if it benefited I$rael, that stinking corpse.
The three stooges, as I live and breathe. Oh thank goodness McCain lost the election. He would have these two buddies helping to run our country. That is, if they could push Palin and Todd out of the Oval Office. I am so glad Palin and family are out of the picture and pretty soon McCain and Lieberman will be out too. Old Lindsey is just siding some with the Dems because he wants some friends after those other two leave office. They are all decadent and disgustng!!! Good riddance!!!
I like three senators because they don’t follow what they preach
Iraqi's maybe we should send you Obama and Nancy Pelosi. They could show you how to spend any newfound oil riches
Yeah right and how much has it cost us the American people.,both in money and lives. These 3 are truly a case in point for term limits. Wackos all of them.
Republicans don't have problem spending U.S. taxpayer money in Iraq building their infrastructure, roads, school, bridges ect, I wonder how they feel about spending that same money here in AMERICA, I hnow it would add to the deficeit , and we just can't do it. GO GOP GO !!!!!