US Vice President arrives in Iraq to try to help settle political crisis

4/29/2016 3:34:26 AM

(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM))

BAGHDAD 29th April 2016 (WAM) -- US Vice President Joe Biden pressed Iraq on Thursday not to let its crippling political crisis upend hard-fought gains against the Islamic State group as he returned to the country that's come to symbolize America's relentless struggles in the Middle East.

Biden slipped into Baghdad on an unannounced trip his first to Iraq in nearly five years. Officials said the stop was planned before Iraq's political system descended into turmoil hindering U.S.-led efforts to defeat extremists who control parts of both Iraq and Syria. Sitting down with Iraq's beleaguered leaders he praised them for working "very very hard" to construct a new Cabinet and touted progress wresting back territory from IS.

"It's real it's serious and it's committed" Biden said as he met with Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri a Sunni politician facing calls from his colleagues to resign.

Still the anxious undertones of Biden's brief visit were clear from the moment he stepped off a military transport plane into blistering heat after an overnight flight from Washington. White House staffers donned body armor and helmets as Biden was whisked by helicopter to the relative safety of the heavily fortified Green Zone reminders of the dire security situation even in Iraq's capital.

WAM/Ahlam/Majok

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