Biden in Iraq as US winds up combat mission
US Vice President Joe Biden landed in Baghdad yesterday to mark the official end of the US combat mission in Iraq after seven years of fighting that has seen more than 4,400 American soldiers killed.
Biden arrived in the capital at around 6:00 pm (1500 GMT), one day before a speech by President Barack Obama will signal the end of the American military's combat operations in Iraq.
The three-day visit also comes as Iraq wrestles with political animosities that have seen no new government formed since an inconclusive general election almost six months ago, causing alarm in Washington.
"We'll be just fine, they'll be just fine," Biden said in brief remarks to reporters when asked about security concerns in Iraq in the wake of a major drawdown of US forces in recent months.
The troop reduction has coincided with a surge in car bombings and shootings that has targeted the Iraqi forces who have steadily taken on security responsibilities from the Americans since 2009.
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