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Obama makes surprise Iraq visit Obama makes surprise Iraq visit
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on an unannounced visit. US President Barack Obama is in Iraq on an unannounced visit for talks with Iraqi leaders and to see US troops.
Mr Obama flew into the city at the end of a long overseas trip that included economic and Nato summits in Europe and two days in Turkey. Mr Obama flew into Baghdad at the end of a Europe trip that included economic and Nato summits and a visit to Turkey.
The visit is Mr Obama's first to Iraq since taking office. It is Mr Obama's first to Iraq since taking office, and he said there was still "a lot of work" to be done there.
For security reasons, the White House made no advance announcement of the visit, and released no details of his engagements inside the country.For security reasons, the White House made no advance announcement of the visit, and released no details of his engagements inside the country.
But the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said there had been speculation that Mr Obama would visit Iraq on his return from Europe.But the BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad said there had been speculation that Mr Obama would visit Iraq on his return from Europe.
The US president arrived at Baghdad's international airport on Air Force One in the late afternoon, local time.The US president arrived at Baghdad's international airport on Air Force One in the late afternoon, local time.
Reports said he was taken immediately by road to meet Gen Ray Odierno, the US military commander Iraq, and some of the 140,000 US soldiers serving in the country.Reports said he was taken immediately by road to meet Gen Ray Odierno, the US military commander Iraq, and some of the 140,000 US soldiers serving in the country.
US officials said Mr Obama had also hoped to hold talks in person with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. "We spent a lot of time trying to get Afghanistan right [but] there's still a lot of work to be done here," Mr Obama told reporters.
However, these talks are now expected to take place by telephone, as bad weather will prevent Mr Obama from travelling into the city by helicopter to meet the leaders as planned. He said the US had made "significant progress" in Iraq, and thanked the troops for their "extraordinary work".
"General Odierno has been helping to lead a very effective operation here," said Mr Obama.
Meetings
US officials said Mr Obama is also to have talks with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama had chosen to visit Iraq rather than Afghanistan, where the US is also engaged in conflict, to show Iraqi leaders that the way forward for the country lies "in political solutions".White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Mr Obama had chosen to visit Iraq rather than Afghanistan, where the US is also engaged in conflict, to show Iraqi leaders that the way forward for the country lies "in political solutions".
Mr Obama has said he wants US soldiers to be out of Iraqi cities by the middle of summer this year, and most of them to be out of the country altogether by the end of 2010.Mr Obama has said he wants US soldiers to be out of Iraqi cities by the middle of summer this year, and most of them to be out of the country altogether by the end of 2010.
Our correspondent says Mr Obama will be seeking to reassure Iraq's leaders that the troops will be withdrawn responsibly and without plunging the country into chaos.Our correspondent says Mr Obama will be seeking to reassure Iraq's leaders that the troops will be withdrawn responsibly and without plunging the country into chaos.