White House says VP Biden in Iraq, made surprise trip there as US troops leave cities

September 17th, 2009 Biden: Iraq won't alter troop withdrawal timingBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden says he is confident that Iraq will not alter the timetable for the withdrawal of American troops. Biden told reporters in Baghdad on Thursday that there are a number of steps that would have to be taken before Iraq could call a referendum that could alter the so-called status of forces agreement.

August 19th, 2009 White House condemns wave of Iraqi violenceWASHINGTON — The White House is condemning the latest series of deadly attacks in Iraq. Spokesman Robert Gibbs says the attacks on Wednesday, which left nearly 100 people dead, show "how far extremists will always go to wreak havoc." Despite the violence, Gibbs says the overall number of attacks in Iraq is "at or near an all-time low".

July 22nd, 2009 Obama says US on schedule to leave Iraq by 2011WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Wednesday that despite continuing violence in Iraq, the U.S. is on schedule to remove all troops by the end of 2011.

July 15th, 2009 Obama, Iraqi prime minister to meet next weekWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will meet at the White House next week with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. A statement announcing next Wednesday's visit says the countries are "close partners" in building a sovereign, stable and self-reliant Iraq.

July 3rd, 2009 Vice President Biden meets America's Iraq leadersBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden met with the top American military commander and diplomat on Friday as he made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival in Baghdad late Thursday came just days after all U.S.

July 3rd, 2009 Jill Biden meets troops in GermanyBAMBERG, Germany — Jill Biden, the wife of the U.S. vice president, observed U.S.

July 3rd, 2009 Vice President Biden discusses US future in IraqBAGHDAD — Vice President Joe Biden discussed the future of the American mission in Iraq Friday with the top two U.S. officials there following the withdrawal of most troops from the cities.

July 2nd, 2009 US vice president in IraqBAGHDAD — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Iraq on Thursday to visit U.S.

July 2nd, 2009 Biden visits Iraq, will meet with leadersBAGHDAD — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Iraq on Thursday to visit U.S.

July 1st, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has described the completion of withdrawal of US combat troops from Iraqi cities as an "important milestone". In brief remarks made at a White House event Tuesday, he said the drawback meant that Iraq's future is now in the hands of its leaders and people.

June 28th, 2009 US commander: Iraqi troops ready for city securityWASHINGTON — The top U.S. commander in Iraq says he believes Iraqi forces are ready to take over when American combat troops pull out of Baghdad and other cities by Tuesday.

May 10th, 2009 US House speaker in Iraq for 1-day visitBAGHDAD — U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a surprise one-day visit to Baghdad Sunday to meet with the prime minister and discuss U.S.-Iraqi relations, Iraqi and U.S.

April 27th, 2009 Iraq wants US forces out of Mosul on timeBAGHDAD — Iraq wants American troops to withdraw from urban areas and only return with government approval, a defense ministry spokesman said Monday, casting doubt about whether the U.S. can maintain troops in certain trouble spots even as they withdraw elsewhere.

April 25th, 2009 BAGHDAD - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in the Iraqi capital on an unannounced visit, Voices of Iraq news agency reported Saturday. The visit comes at a time as the new US ambassador to Iraq, Christopher Hill, is taking up his office.

December 30th, 2008 BAGHDAD - Iraq's defence ministry Wednesday signed two agreements on the withdrawal of British and Australian troops from the country, a ministry spokesman said. The agreements came hours before the expiry of the United Nations Security Council Mandate.