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Biden Visits Iraq


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http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN0XP1YL

 

Biden visits Iraq for talks with officials, show of support

Thu Apr 28, 2016 1:40pm GMT
 
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U.S. Vice President Joe Biden greets people after speaking at an event to bring awareness to sexual assault on college campuses in Las Vegas, Nevada April 7, 2016.  REUTERS/David Becker
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By Roberta Rampton

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Thursday, in a sign of support for the Iraqi government as it builds on wins in its fight against Islamic State militants amid the distractions of a political crisis.

It is the first time that Biden, the point person for the White House on Iraq, has visited the country since the United States withdrew its forces in 2011. He is the third and highest-level U.S. official to visit Iraq this month.

Islamic State, also known as ISIL, has seized large portions of Iraq and Syria since 2014. Iraqi forces have won back some of the territory, such as the provincial capital of Ramadi, but often after long battles that have left the cities destroyed.

"He's been itching to get back for a while. We have been looking for an opportunity," a senior administration official told reporters travelling with Biden to Iraq.

Biden's trip, a couple of months in the planning, is a sign of the progress the White House believes Iraqi forces have made in beating back the militant group during the past year.

Biden has close personal relationships with Iraqi leaders and speaks with them every 10 days on average, a senior administration official said.

The trip serves to counter a "misperception in the region" that Iran has undue influence in the nation, a senior administration official said.

 

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Editing by Jeff Mason and Bernadette Baum)

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On surprise Iraq visit, Biden urging end to political crisis

Vice President Joe Biden is greeted by U.S. Ambassador Stuart Jones after stepping off a C-17 military transport plane upon his arrival in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday. Biden arrived in Baghdad on a visit intended to help Iraqi leaders resolve a political crisis that has hindered efforts to defeat the Islamic State group. Vice President Joe Biden is greeted by U.S. Ambassador Stuart Jones after stepping off a C-17 military transport plane upon his arrival in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday. Biden arrived in Baghdad on a visit intended to help Iraqi leaders resolve a political crisis that has hindered efforts to defeat the Islamic State group.Josh Lederman — The Associated Press

By Josh Lederman, The Associated Press

POSTED: 04/28/16, 12:01 PM EDT | UPDATED: 15 SECS AGO

BAGHDAD >> Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Thursday to implore the country’s leaders to resolve a crippling political crisis that has hindered efforts to defeat the Islamic State group.

 

 

Biden landed in Baghdad mid-afternoon after a secret, overnight flight from Washington on a military plane. Stepping onto the tarmac in blistering heat, he greeted the U.S. ambassador and Lt. Gen. Sean McFarland, the U.S. commander heading the fight against IS, as swirling dust masked the skyline behind them.

 

 

His first stop was a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi at the late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein’s grandiose Republican Palace, which served as U.S. headquarters in Baghdad after the U.S.-led 2003 invasion. The two exchanged greetings and spoke in English as reporters were allowed in briefly for the start of the meeting.

 

 

The White House didn’t disclose the rest of Biden’s itinerary, but said he would meet with other Iraqi leaders to stress national unity and discuss the campaign against IS extremists. Biden also planned to meet with U.S. personnel in the country.


 

His visit comes amid a wave of tense protests and demands for sweeping political reforms that have paralyzed Iraq’s government, already struggling to tackle a dire economic crisis and battle IS. The Obama administration has stepped up its military role with more troops and equipment in hopes of putting Iraq on a better path as President Barack Obama prepares to leave office in January.

 

 

Though there’s been progress in wresting back territory from IS and weakening its leadership, senior U.S. officials traveling with Biden said any lost momentum will likely be due to political unrest rather than military shortcomings. Chaotic politics are nothing new in Iraq, but the present infighting risks becoming a distraction, with politicians more focused on keeping their jobs than fighting IS, said the officials, who weren’t authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity.

 

 

Due to concern about Biden’s security, his trip to the war zone was not announced in advance. Journalists making the 17-hour journey with Biden had to agree to keep it secret until he was inside Iraq.

 

 

The turmoil engulfing Iraq’s government grew out of weeks of rallies by followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demanding an end to pervasive corruption and mismanagement. Thousands have protested just outside Baghdad’s heavily guarded Green Zone, calling for politicians to be replaced by independent technocrats and for Iraq’s powerful Shiite militias to be brought into key ministries.

 

 

At the center of the crisis is the prime minister, a Shiite whom the U.S. considers a welcome improvement over his predecessor, Nouri al-Maliki. Yet al-Abadi’s failures to deliver on long-promised reforms and manage Iraq’s growing sectarian tensions have threatened his ability to lead the country.

 

 

Al-Abadi is caught between ordinary Iraqis pleading for government accountability and entrenched political blocks that are reluctant to give up a powerful patronage system widely blamed for squandering Iraq’s oil fortunes. On Tuesday, Iraq’s parliament approved a half-dozen new Cabinet ministers al-Abadi nominated in a gesture to protesters, but the rest of the Cabinet lineup remains in contention.

 

 

The turbulence has roiled the Iraqi capital, with lawmakers throwing water bottles and punching each other as some call for al-Abadi to resign along with the Sunni parliament speaker and Kurdish president. Last month, al-Abadi pulled troops fighting IS on the front lines to protect Baghdad amid the protests. Meanwhile, an economic crisis spurred by collapsing oil prices has further compounded Iraq’s troubles.

 

 

Obama, in Saudi Arabia last week, said al-Abadi had been a “good partner” but added he was concerned about his hold on power. Obama said it was critical that Iraq’s government stabilize and unite competing factions so it can fight terrorism and right its economy.

 

 

“They’ve got a lot on their plate,” Obama said. “Now is not the time for government gridlock or bickering.”

 

 

It was precisely because of that bickering that Obama emerged from his meeting with Gulf leaders without the promises of financial support for Iraq’s reconstruction that he had sought. Gulf countries preferred to wait and see whether Iraq could get its political act together before agreeing to help.

 

 

Aiming to build on recent progress in retaking territory from IS, the U.S. this month agreed to deploy more than 200 additional troops to Iraq, bringing the authorized total to just over 4,000, and to send Apache helicopters into the fight. Although the White House has ruled out a ground combat role, Obama’s decision puts American forces closer to the front lines to train and support Iraqi forces preparing to try to take back the key northern city of Mosul.

 

 

U.S. officials would not put a timeline on reclaiming Mosul but said they expect progress to slow during the summer.

 

 

For Biden and Obama, the next nine months represent their final opportunity to position Iraq for a peaceful future before their terms end. Though they came into office pledging to end the war and did so in 2011, U.S. troops returned to Iraq in 2014 amid the rise of IS. Obama now acknowledges that his goal of defeating the militants won’t be realized during his presidency.

 

 

Reach Josh Lederman on Twitter at http://twitter.com/joshledermanAP

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Editor: AZ 28.04.2016 19:21 Number ofViews: 322 

 


 

Long-Presse / Baghdad

The head of the House of Representatives Saleem al - Jubouri, on Thursday, the importance of continuing thewar on (Daash) and investment momentum of victories, and as the United States called for the need to support Iraq economically. He said the media office of the parliament speaker Salim al - Jubouri in a statement received (range Press), a copy of it, that "Last, received today in his office, Joe Biden , US vice - president , who is visiting Iraq" .. the statement added, " the two sides discussed the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the region , " referring to "discuss the economic situation , which is going through the country and theimportance of supporting Iraq in this the side".


 

The al-Jubouri, according to the statement "the importance of the continuation of the war on (Daash) and invest the momentum of victories achieved in all fields."

And reached US Vice President Joe Biden, on Thursday, to the Iraqi capital Baghdad on a surprise visit aimed at resolving the political crisis, he met with Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.

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Close to Abadi reveals the reasons for Biden's visit to Baghdad sudden (Details)

28-04-2016 10:30 PM    
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Orbit News -

 

 

Deputy explained for the National Alliance who is close to Prime Minister causes a visit by US Vice President Jobaidn surprise to Iraq on Thursday in the third visit, a senior US official in Baghdad this month after the visit of Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

 

The MP said Abbas al-Bayati, in a press statement, that the 'surprise visit by US Vice President today to Baghdad comes after three important developments of the first post-Gulf-US summit held in Riyadh in the presence of President Obama and Aloaudat presented to him on Iraq by the Gulf states and today Biden came to inform the Iraqi side those pledges and promises to park the Gulf states to help Iraq and help him financially to this stage. "

 

He added 'as this visit comes in the atmosphere of an election a US garrison and raging and there the election battle between the Democratic and Republican parties where the US administration is trying [democracy] to record a gain and a quick victory in Iraq by eliminating Daash and the liberalization of the city of Mosul and support the Iraqis in this regard.'

He said al-Bayati said 'Biden's visit to Iraq this time came after the semi relative stability of the political process and overcome the Iraq issues and turns political pitfalls in the past two months, which has made the US administration assured that there is a relatively stable political qualitatively in Iraq and must promote this stability with more political and economic support and the military. "

He pointed out that 'in this visit Daash occupies fight and eliminate it and edit Mosul priority as to help Iraq economically important and it requires both political stability being necessary for the purpose of getting more economic, political and armament support'.

He denied al-Bayati said the visit of Biden 'express Washington's concern about the conditions of Iraq, but express support for the Iraqis and Asnadhm in their fight against Daash messages, they are also messages indicating to the Iraqis the ability to solve their problems and they are capable of defeating Bdaash after the liberation of Tikrit, Anbar, Baiji and now heading towards Mosul '.

The 'There was a concern of the US situation in Iraq by now, but it began to dissipate and there are regional and international high feeling on the Iraqis' ability to go beyond their problems and their crises through internal dialogue and their determination to liberate their land.'

The US Vice President Joe Biden had arrived Thursday in the capital, Baghdad, on an unannounced visit in advance, and this is the first time that Biden is visiting the country since the US withdrew its troops from Iraq in 2011.

 

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Yota Thanks, DV,  VP Biden visiting Iraq to let PM Abadi know the U.S.A. are fully behind the new ministers and the reforms.   Let's git r done folks it's high time your IQD go international.    Loans & Investors are lining up to assist and receive excellent ROI for their investment opportunities in your country.

 

Keeping the faith!!

 

GO RV!!

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3 hours ago, Hotcurl said:

What a waste of jet fuel and payroll for the security personal.

Just another photo OP for "Oh No, Not Joe" thus a distraction, highlighting the failed, Ho' Bummer foreign policy and legacy in the region. 

Amen

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Observers of the Iraq war ...

Biden's visit to Baghdad sudden came to exert pressure on the Government of Abadi and in support of America's allies

 International
 04/29/2016 - 13:23
Joe Biden

Observers of the Iraqi Chan said that the visit of US Vice President Joe Biden and the godfather of the partition plan, "snap" to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, was part of a series of increasing pressures that the US exercised by the Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and in support of America's allies in the emphasis on the insistence of the US administration to intervene in Iraq's internal affairs under the pretext of "Help" in the settlement of the political crisis in Iraq.

He traveled Biden of Washington at night to the capital of the Iraqi Baghdad did not disclose the White House the details of his trip because of the caveats security .. but it is expected to meet with Biden , Iraqi leaders. It 

also seeks Biden on his visit to the glands to support America 's allies in the political process, including the Sunni forces union representative of the Sunni Arabs in Alarac. who bet on in US support to increase its stake in participating the resolution of political and security in the country Akbar , which is the case it now Arabs representatives of the year, compared with their share of the rest of the population , with the percentage of Sunni Arabs in Iraq , only 17 percent of the rest of the population Shiites, Kurds and Turkmen. 

the visit coincides Biden to Baghdad with the Pentagon 's decision to send about 200 troops to US - backed by helicopters Apache under the pretext of the fight against Daash bringing the number of Alammerیکییn soldiers , according to Pentagon figures the 41 - strong US, and each such case under the pretext of preparing for a fight Daash. in the eyes of the leaders in the crowd and popular Islamic resistance to condensation the presence of US troops in Iraq is not aimed at waging war on Daash because Alammerیکan not so far seems they are serious about fighting Daash. 

and stalk the leaders in the crowd and popular resistance accusations that the forces of America supporting al Daash through dropping off weapons and ammunition paragliding for the elements of the organization in different areas of the fighting fronts in Salahuddin, Diyala and Nیnoi. Fighters have been documented from the crowd People Bکamیrat their discovery of huge umbrellas been used by the army in US are still weapons and equipment to elements of al - Daash Wahhabi also to more the than once a fighter Amrیکیh pounding forces of the Iraqi army and police and federal forces crowd the popular several times justified Alammerیکan bombings as has that by The error.

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Abadi Biden's: they are involved in reforms and move the country to the right path

 International

 04/29/2016 - 00:33

Abadi and Biden

The Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi Thursday Amadah in reforms, and walk in the country to the right path and that upon receiving US Vice President Joe Biden, the godfather of the division, and his accompanying delegation, where they were discussed during the meeting to strengthen relations between the two countries in various fields, and the developments of the security situation , economic, and support the reforms, and the war on terror Daash gangs, in addition to preparations for the seven leading industrial countries, which will be held in Japan, the support to be submitted to Iraq. "

Abadi said that "Iraq is making significant victories on terrorist gangs, and we have to insist, determined to release the entire Iraqi territory, as we are involved in the reforms, and walk in the country to the right path."

In turn, he praised Biden, who today arrived in Baghdad on a surprise visit was not announced by the progress of the large forces and the Iraqi editor of land from the grip of the Iraqi Daash, and that the United States supports Iraq fully in the fight against the terrorist gangs. It also stressed his country's continued support for Iraq to meet the challenges that passes by, especially in the financial field, economic, and reconstruction of areas that have been edited.

139502100031496767598674.jpg

As Search House Speaker Iraqi Saleem al-Jubouri said Thursday the political developments, and the war on Daash, with the Vice President in US Joe Biden, who is visiting Iraq, and discussed with him the latest political developments and security in Iraq and the region, as well as to discuss the economic situation is going through country, and the importance of supporting Iraq in this aspect. "and confirmed the meeting also the importance of the continuation of the war on Daash, and investment momentum of victories achieved in all fields.

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After an improvised explosive device targeting his office ..

Iraqi parliamentarian Kazem Sayadi's Tasnim: Visit al-Jubouri, the US Embassy contempt for Iraqi sovereignty

dialogues
 04/29/2016 - 15:05
Kazem Sayadi

Parliamentary revealed the Iraqi Kazem Sayadi, in an interview with the agency, Tasneem, said Friday some aspects of targeting his office in Wasit province, southern Iraq, an improvised explosive device, accusing it of political parties which are still calling for quota system and symbols, also revealed he had previously been to a lot of threats of this kind Besides temptations, according to the policy of sticks and carrots to prevent him from standing in general quota system, saying that Saleem al-Jubouri's visit to the US embassy is contempt for Iraqi sovereignty.

And the act of terrorism , which the Office Sayadi targeted in Wasit province , Kazem Sayadi said , on the day that happened yesterday is that the guards کanwa in office, and in Tlک meantime exposed office to a terrorist act politically by some of those who reject the word Free Patriotic which expresses the feelings of the Iraqi people, ie an issue that quotas do not sectarianism no symbols and no to the personalization, but such case has arisen mollified many of the names and personalities because of the subject, Vکant reaction regrettably cemetery does not rise to the level of policy does not rise to the level of responsibility and such case was thrown an explosive device at the office, damaging car of a staff brothers in the office in addition to some damage inside the office, Maکda that this will strengthen our God willing , but insistent on what we started, which is an end to the quota system and end personalization and idolatry in Iraq. 

the MP pointed Sayadi to that previously exposed to many of the threats and said: " before this process (targeting office) and we received many of the threats and temptations that Ttrک issue of ending the quota system or appearing flags and Altکlm some blocs and political figures that support the theme and project quotas, and I consider that this reaction to you I expect at any given time and that such sacrifices that provided by the Iraqi people and the crowd and the SPLA Iraqi in a liberation of Iraq and the killing of sectarianism. We word they are , God willing arms. "

He emphasized Sayadi that the House of Representatives of the protesters will continue to claim format the opposition front and they're now stuck to participate in the hearings and are awaiting the decision of the Court and federal then would be to have plans to be announced announced later. 

on reports that attempts to pardon fugitive Tareq al - Hashemi said Sayadi: I think that quotas political alas is the tax paid by the people of Iraq in the elected officials of quotas and I see that they could do anything in order to maintain their positions and کrasیhm and retain these blocs political among these things bring out all criminals, murderers and terrorists deal one to maintain کrasی power. 

on the visit of Saleem al - Jubouri of the Embassy of United States, to meet with the Vice President in uS, Joe Biden , said: "We are now checking if was Saleem al - Jubouri had visited American embassy and he went himself to meet with Vice Obama, this Anthaک sovereignty and contempt for the rule of Iraqi and I think that this is a shameful act and undiplomatic as I think need to be held accountable and hard on this issue. "

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Reuters: Biden will meet with officials in response to an unannounced visit to Arbil

 

PM: 11: 09: 28/04/2016Khandan

 

 

xendannews2012B.jpg

Khandan - said the agency "Reuters" that US Vice President Joe Biden, will meet with officials in response to visit unannounced to Erbil. She noted that US Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit Thursday to Arbil , the capital of the Kurdistan region to "show support for his government. " and it announced the US Department of defense (Pentagon) last week awarded $ 415 million of the Peshmerga forces , which have played an important role in the face of the organization" Daash "terrorist. it was Biden arrived in Baghdad Thursday on a surprise visit during which he met with Prime Minister Haider al - Abadi and chairman of the board Salim al - Jubouri , the House and spoke by telephone with President Fuad Masum. the White House said that Joe Biden 's visit to Iraq to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al - Abadi was " a good sign , " US support to the Prime Minister in his efforts to unify the country. the spokesman Josh Ernest "this is a good sign for the continuation of US support for the efforts of Prime Minister Haider al - Abadi to unite in the face of Daash Iraq , "according to Reuters.

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Biden appreciates the sacrifices of the Peshmerga forces

 

AM: 10: 24: 29/04/2016Khandan

 

 

 

mas3ud2942016.gif

Khandan - the price of US Vice President Joe Biden , the sacrifices made by the Peshmerga forces, and expressed his thanks to the position of the Kurdistan Assistant province in stabilizing the political process in Iraq. The presidency of the Kurdistan region , in a statement, said Massoud Barzani , received the Vice President of the United States Joseph Biden and his accompanying delegation Author of the Special Representative of the US President in the international coalition for the war against the terrorists "Daash" Brett Makkourk US ambassador to Iraq and advisor to Vice President for national Security Affairs Colin Al and Gen. San MacFarland , commander of US forces in Iraq , and Consul General of the United States in Erbil Matthias Mettmann and a number of military commanders and political advisors, on Thursday evening. the statement noted that Barzani and Biden held a bilateral meeting where he presented Barzani and his name and on behalf of the people of Kurdistan, thanks to the people and the President and government of the United States to overthrow the regime 's dictatorial past and support the people of Kurdistan in the war against terrorism, and thanked the US government for providing military and financial support forces Peshmerga Kurdistan , where he was to support a significant impact on ensuring the Peshmerga Kurdish forces for victories. on the other hand expressed by Vice President expressed his appreciation for the leadership of Barzani and the sacrifices made by the Peshmerga forces and the steadfastness of the people of Kurdistan, and thanked the KRG position to help restore stability to the political process in Iraq. in part Last of the meeting discussed the two sides on the recent developments and changes to field a war against terrorists Daash in Iraq, Syria , and how cooperation and coordination between the coalition forces and the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in the war against terrorists , "Daash" and plan edit Mosul and phase that will follow liberalization of Mosul. They exchanged views on the post ends after Daash terrorists and ingredients that you need at this stage , the Iraqi political arena. in the axis of the meeting, they discussed relations between the two sides and the need to expand these relations, with emphasis on the continuation of consultations and contacts to deal with political and security developments in Iraq and the region.

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