U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Monday landed in Iraq to commemorate the official end of the American combat mission on August 31 and for talks with Iraqi political leaders, who are still working to form a new government. Biden arrived in Baghdad, greeted by U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Jim Jeffrey, outgoing U.S. commander General Ray Odierno, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, in order to participate in a Change of Command and Change of Mission Ceremony. The visit is Biden's sixth trip to Iraq since January 2009. The United States ends its combat mission in Iraq on August 31st, having drawn down to fewer than 50,000 troops from approximately 144,000 troops in January 2009, the White House said in a statement released to members of the press. "The remaining troops will advise and assist Iraq's security forces, conduct partnered counter-terrorism operations, and protect U.S. civilians. In accordance with an agreement between the U.S. and Iraqi governments, all U.S. forces will leave Iraq by December 31, 2011," the statement added. During his visit, Biden will meet with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, Vice President Adil Abd al-Mahdi, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the Iraqiya coalition Ayad Allawi, Chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim and other political leaders to discuss the latest developments in Iraq and to urge Iraqi leaders to conclude negotiations on the formation of a new government. U.S. President Barack Obama will deliver a National Address on Iraq on August 31st from the White House.
