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Hillary Clinton arrives in Iraq Hillary Clinton arrives in Iraq
(19 minutes later)
Hillary Clinton has landed in the Iraqi capital Baghdad for her first visit to the country as US secretary of state.Hillary Clinton has landed in the Iraqi capital Baghdad for her first visit to the country as US secretary of state.
Her visit comes after two days of suicide bomb attacks on Baghdad and other Iraqi towns which killed at least 155 people and wounded many others.Her visit comes after two days of suicide bomb attacks on Baghdad and other Iraqi towns which killed at least 155 people and wounded many others.
President Barack Obama, who visited Iraq a couple of weeks ago, has committed the US to withdrawing troops from Iraqi cities by the summer.President Barack Obama, who visited Iraq a couple of weeks ago, has committed the US to withdrawing troops from Iraqi cities by the summer.
All combat brigades are to leave by next summer.All combat brigades are to leave by next summer.
Before leaving for Baghdad, Mrs Clinton said the recent upsurge in violence was a tragic signal that Iraq was in fact on the right path. 'Clear signal'
Mrs Clinton landed in Baghdad at about 0830 local time (0530 GMT).
America's top diplomat will spend the day in Baghdad, holding talks with Iraqi officials, including her Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari and Prime Minister Nouri Maliki, the BBC's Kim Ghattas in Baghdad says.
WEEK OF SUICIDE BOMBINGS Friday: Baghdad shrine attack kills 60Thursday: Baquba restaurant attack kills 56, Baghdad street bomber kills 28Wednesday: Bomber kills five in DhuluiyaMonday: Bomber kills three policemen in Baquba In pictures: Baghdad blasts
Mrs Clinton will also discuss the recent attacks with US commander in Iraq, Gen Raymond Odierno.
"I want his evaluation of what these kinds of rejectionist efforts mean and what can be done to prevent them by both the Iraqi government and the US forces," Mrs Clinton said before leaving for Baghdad.
Mrs Clinton said the recent upsurge in violence was a tragic signal that Iraq was in fact on the right path.
She said the Iraqi government had made impressive progress but there were people who did not want it to succeed.She said the Iraqi government had made impressive progress but there were people who did not want it to succeed.
She described those behind the violence as rejectionists.
Mrs Clinton said her trip was meant to send a clear signal to the Iraqi people that the US was committed to helping them navigate the difficult transition period.Mrs Clinton said her trip was meant to send a clear signal to the Iraqi people that the US was committed to helping them navigate the difficult transition period.
America's top diplomat will spend the day in Baghdad, holding talks with Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and her Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari as well as the top US commander Gen Raymond Odierno. In Baghdad, Mrs Clinton will also be meeting a group of Iraqi widows and holding a "town-hall" meeting with Iraqis from different civil society and interest groups.
She is also meeting a group of Iraqi widows and holding a "town-hall" meeting with Iraqis from different civil society and interest groups.