Biden arrives in Iraq for meetings

WASHINGTON, July 2 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Iraq Thursday, for meetings with Iraqi leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani.

Biden plans to work with the Iraqi leaders to try to bring about long-term stability in the country, the White House said Thursday, and also visit U.S. troops.

Iraq celebrated National Sovereignty Day Tuesday as U.S. forces withdrew from cities and villages to military bases.

But the jubilant mood masked concerns about the ability of Iraqi security forces to take control amid lingering political disputes.

U.S. combat forces were obligated under the terms of a bilateral security agreement with Baghdad to pull out of city centers by midnight Tuesday and are set for a complete withdrawal by the end of 2011.