Biden arrives in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President-elect Joe Biden opened talks Monday with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani on security and other issues.

Biden began his tour of the region last week, first stopping in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He arrived in Iraq Monday and KUNA, the Kuwaiti news agency, said he immediately went into talks with Talabani.

Biden, traveling in his capacity as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was accompanied by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and other lawmakers.

In Pakistan, CNN quoted officials as saying Biden "assured the Pakistani leadership" of the United States' "continued assistance to Pakistan." Zardari is seeking an end to U.S. airstrikes in its territory against suspected terrorist targets along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the Pakistan Tribune reported.