This is the presumptive US democratic Party presidential nominee's [Barack Obama] first visit to Iraq since 2006. Senator Obama is attempting to boost his foreign policy credentials before the presidential election in November. Also, this is Obama's chance to see first-hand the security condition in the country and to assess possibilities for the United States' role in Iraq beyond 2008.Barack Obama met separately with Iraq's President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Malaki. The discussion focused on security and economic developments. Earlier in the day Obama met with troops and military officials in Basra.
Obama has repeatedly vowed to end the war in Iraq if he is elected president. He would like to withdraw U.S. troops at a pace of one-to-two brigades per month, meaning combat troops would be out in 16 months.
After Mr. Malaki and Obama met, it has been reported that Prime Minister Maliki hopes U.S. combat forces could be out of Iraq by 2010. Obama is traveling with two other U.S. senators. They spent the first two days of this overseas tour in Afghanistan, followed by a stop in Kuwait. He plans to visit Israel, Jordan and Europe this week.
View raw video footage of Obama's visit to Iraq below:
