US vice president makes unannounced visit to Baghdad

The US official is in Iraq to hold talks with Haider al-Abadi as the PM attempts to calm political tensions in the country.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

28 April, 2016

The officials held talks amid an ongoing political crisis in Iraq [Getty]

US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad on Thursday in what is understood to be an unannounced visit to Iraq, as the country’s leadership continues to battle an ongoing political crisis while forces battle militants.

"The vice president has arrived in Iraq for meetings with (the) Iraqi leadership focused on encouraging Iraqi national unity and continued momentum in the fight against ISIL," a statement from Biden's office said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group.

The pair discussed political, security and economic developments, the premier's office said.

"The vice president will also be discussing steps the international community can take to promote Iraq's economic stability and further regional cooperation," a statement from Biden's office said.

The visit comes as Iraq suffers weeks of political turmoil surrounding Abadi's efforts to replace the cabinet of party-affiliated ministers with a government of technocrats.

On Wednesday, Iraqi lawmakers announced they will vote on six technocrat ministers, in an attempt to solidify the cabinet reshuffle that has caused political chaos in Baghdad for several weeks.

Five earlier candidates put forward for the Iraqi prime minister's new cabinet were approved by parliamentarians on Tuesday as thousands of protesters increased the pressure for reform.

Nominees are for the ministries of electricity, health, higher education, labour and water resources, according to MP Sarwa Abdulwahid and two parliamentary officials.

But the remaining candidates were rejected, forcing the PM to once again present additional candidates on Saturday, the sources said.

Chants including "invalid" and "treachery" were shouted for nearly an hour before the PM was allowed to announce the candidates on Tuesday.

Brawling in the chamber has also taken place, while outside parliament thousands of protesters demonstrated for reforms, answering a call from powerful Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

Ali al-Bahadli, a cleric from the Sadr Movement who was taking part in the reform protests said: "We want the ministers to be independent, outside the control of the political parties and parliament."

The US is leading an international coalition in the fight against Islamic State militants. American forces are both training Iraqi troops as well as providing aerial military assistance and intelligence.