Biden calls Iraqi leaders after bombing
Dec 08, 2009
Vice President Joe Biden spoke to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Tuesday as the United States offered condolences and condemnation after five bombs killed 127 people in Baghdad.
"The vice president conveyed the condolences of the American people to those Iraqis killed and injured in today's bombings in Baghdad," Biden's office said in a statement.
"The United States strongly condemns these attacks on the Iraqi people and their elected government," the statement said, adding that Washington would stand with Iraqis as a partner and friend as they build national unity.
President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said "we strongly condemn the violence" which was the third coordinated massacre to devastate Baghdad since August.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also expressed condemnation of the attacks and said the US embassy in Baghdad "is in contact with Iraqi authorities to offer assistance and support.
"The terrorists who murdered innocent civilians today will not succeed in undermining the Iraqi people's progress toward a more peaceful and democratic future," Clinton added in a statement.
"The United States will continue to support the Iraqi people as they face down violent extremism and work to build a more peaceful and democratic nation," Clinton added.
The attacks came hours before an official said the war-torn country's general election -- the second since the US-led ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein -- would be held on March 6.
The election is seen as crucial to consolidating Iraq's fledgling democracy ahead of the withdrawal of US combat troops by August next year and a complete pullout by the end of 2011.
Biden has been tasked by Obama with ensuring tight policy focus and coordination with Iraqi leaders as US troops prepare to withdraw.
Obama pledged last week in his speech announcing a troop surge to Afghanistan that American forces would meet the deadline and get out of Iraq on time.
Source: AFP American Edition
Dec 08, 2009
Vice President Joe Biden spoke to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki Tuesday as the United States offered condolences and condemnation after five bombs killed 127 people in Baghdad.
"The vice president conveyed the condolences of the American people to those Iraqis killed and injured in today's bombings in Baghdad," Biden's office said in a statement.
"The United States strongly condemns these attacks on the Iraqi people and their elected government," the statement said, adding that Washington would stand with Iraqis as a partner and friend as they build national unity.
President Barack Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs said "we strongly condemn the violence" which was the third coordinated massacre to devastate Baghdad since August.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also expressed condemnation of the attacks and said the US embassy in Baghdad "is in contact with Iraqi authorities to offer assistance and support.
"The terrorists who murdered innocent civilians today will not succeed in undermining the Iraqi people's progress toward a more peaceful and democratic future," Clinton added in a statement.
"The United States will continue to support the Iraqi people as they face down violent extremism and work to build a more peaceful and democratic nation," Clinton added.
The attacks came hours before an official said the war-torn country's general election -- the second since the US-led ouster of dictator Saddam Hussein -- would be held on March 6.
The election is seen as crucial to consolidating Iraq's fledgling democracy ahead of the withdrawal of US combat troops by August next year and a complete pullout by the end of 2011.
Biden has been tasked by Obama with ensuring tight policy focus and coordination with Iraqi leaders as US troops prepare to withdraw.
Obama pledged last week in his speech announcing a troop surge to Afghanistan that American forces would meet the deadline and get out of Iraq on time.
Source: AFP American Edition
