LOC20:13
17:13 GMT
BAGHDAD, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in the Iraqi
capital on Monday on a mission said to be linked to ongoing diplomatic efforts
for forming a new government.
A well-informed source told KUNA that Biden's mission is aimed at narrowing
the gulf among the diverse political trends for speeding up the formation of a
cabinet. Biden will hold talks with the top officials on this issue, he said.
It is Biden's second visit to Iraq since the legislative elections, held in
March. It also coincided with the end of the combat missions of the American
forces in the country.
Biden has recently expressed optimism on prospected conditions in the
country and said bids by the insurgency group, Al-Qaeda, to foment sectarian
discords "have ended in failure."
Addressing veteran US soldiers at the Indiana base, the vice president said
the Iranian influence on the Iraqi arena is limited. (end)
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KUNA 302013 Aug 10NNNN