15 September 2009

Statement on Biden’s Visit to Iraq

Biden to convey U.S. commitment to Iraq’s future and national unity

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THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Vice President
September 15, 2009

Vice President Biden in Iraq to Meet with Iraqi Leaders and Visit U.S. Troops

Vice President Biden has arrived in Iraq to visit U.S. troops and meet with Iraqi leaders. During his trip, he will meet with Iraq’s President Jalal Talabani; Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki; Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ayad al-Samarrai; Vice President ‘Adil ‘Abd al-Mahdi; Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi; Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Rafe Al-Eissawi; President of the Kurdistan Regional Government Massoud Barzani; Prime Minister-designate of the Kurdistan Regional Government Barham Salih, among others. He will also meet with representatives from the United Nations mission in Iraq. Vice President Biden will convey the strong U.S. commitment to Iraq’s future and national unity.

The President has asked the Vice President to provide sustained, high level focus from the White House on Iraq and this trip is part of that mission. This is the Vice President’s third trip to Iraq this year. He previously visited Iraq in July 2009 and January 2009.

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