Maliki: No U.S. political help needed

BAGHDAD, July 4 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says the United States' help isn't needed in reconciling the country's political and ethnic factions.

Meeting with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Friday in Baghdad, Maliki made it clear he didn't want Americans as closely involved in the Iraqi political process as U.S. forces prepare to depart next year, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Maliki's spokesman, Ali Dabbagh, told reporters the prime minister impressed on Biden that "the reconciliation issue is a purely Iraqi issue and any non-Iraqi involvement might have a negative effect. We don't want the Americans to come and get involved."

Asked how Biden took the stance, Dabbagh told the Times he "received the message well, and he said he is ready to help whenever the Iraqi government asks."

Biden, who is on a two-day mission to Baghdad to work with Iraqis "toward overcoming their political differences and achieving the type of reconciliation that we all understand has yet to fully take place," said he gave Maliki a message from President Barack Obama that "Iraqis must use the political process to resolve their remaining differences and advance their national interest. We stand ready if asked … to help in that process."

Biden also took part in a naturalization ceremony for 237 U.S. troops and later recounted the event while having lunch with troops, including his son Beau and other members of the 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade from Delaware.

"We did it in Saddam's palace," he said. "That S.O.B. is rolling over in his grave right now."