In 1st Baghdad Trip as VP, Preses Iraqis To Avoid Falling Into Sectarianism Vice President Joseph Biden (L) U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill (C) and Gen. Ray Odierno emerge from a U.S. military base July 3, 2009, near Baghdad, Iraq. Khalid Mohammed/Pool/Getty Images Vice President Joe Biden pressed Iraqi leaders Friday to do more to foster national reconciliation and offered U.S. assistance in achieving that, as concerns grow that a lack of political progress is fueling violence in Iraq. He stressed that America wanted to "build up" its partnership with Iraqi leaders even as it draws down its forces, starting with Tuesday's deadline for pulling back combat troops from cities. But protesters in Baghdad's main Shiite district of Sadr City demonstrated against his visit, burning an American flag and chanting anti-U.S. slogans... [read full story]
