US VP Biden arrives in Iraq amid political impasse
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
BAGHDAD — US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad Saturday for the Fourth of July weekend with US troops as Iraqi leaders struggle to seat a new government.His arrival marked the American vice president's second visit to Iraq this year.Biden is the Obama administration's point man on Iraq issues. But top US officials have resisted visiting Iraq while the country's leaders remain deadlocked over which political faction will lead Iraq.No clear winner emerged from Iraq's March 7 parliamentary election.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition won 89 seats, compared to 91 seats for a rival coalition led by former prime minister Ayad Allawi.Neither group won a clear majority, leading to extensive negotiations and wrangling to find allies to form the next government.
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