Biden makes surprise visit to Iraq

The U.S. vice president flew to the country to mark the end of the Iraq war.

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Nov. 30, 2011

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, talks to Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, during a news conference in Baghdad. Biden said the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq opened a new phase in relations between the two countries, including a robust security partnership.

Saad Shalash / Reuters

Nov. 30, 2011

Vice President Biden, left, meets with Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a joint news conference in Baghdad.

Saad Shalash / Reuters

Nov. 30, 2011

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, U.S. Vice President Biden, center, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey, second left, and Gen. Lloyd Austin the top U.S. commander in Iraq, left, meet in Baghdad.

/ Reuters

Nov. 30, 2011

Supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr chant slogans against U.S. Vice President Biden’s visit to Iraq in Baghdad. Biden said the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq opened a new phase in relations between the two countries, including a robust security partnership.

/ Reuters

Nov. 30, 2011

U.S. Vice President Biden, left, and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani attend a meeting in Baghdad. Biden said his trip to Baghdad ahead of the U.S. military pullout will mark a new beginning between Iraq and the United States. Protests in Iraq against the visit are demonstrating the difficulties the relationship will face.

Khalid Mohammed / AP

Nov. 30, 2011

Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, seen in poster at left, demonstrate against the visit of U.S. Vice President Biden in Baghdad. The banner in Arabic reads: "Condemn the visit of American vice president of evil."

Karim Kadim / AP

Nov. 29, 2011

Vice President Biden disembarks from the plane as he arrives in Baghdad to mark the end of the war in Iraq as troops complete their withdrawal by year end.

Saad Shalash / Reuters

Nov. 29, 2011

Gen. Lloyd Austin, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, left, looks on as Biden shakes hands with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey. Biden's trip is designed to chart a new relationship between the two countries after all U.S. forces leave the country in just over a month.

Khalid Mohammed / AP

Nov. 29, 2011

Biden, right, walks with Jeffrey, center, and Austin, second left, after his arrival in Baghdad.

Khalid Mohammed / AP

Nov. 29, 2011

Biden is pictured during a surprise visit to Baghdad.

Ahmad Al-Rubaye / AFP/Getty Images

Nov. 29, 2011

Biden, center, meets with Austin, right, and Jeffrey at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Saad Shalash / Reuters

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