Biden meets with senior Iraqi officials in Baghdad (1st Lead)

Sep 16, 2009, 15:27 GMT

Baghdad - US Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday brushed the lethal rocket attacks that had greeted his arrival in Baghdad the night before, exchanging gifts and joking with Iraqi officials.

Iraqi police said that two people died and five were injured in the rocket attacks. The Mujahidine Army insurgent group claimed responsibility and said the attacks were a 'reception' for Biden, according to according to Washington SITE Intelligence Group.

'You can't get rid of me,' Biden joked when meeting his Iraqi counterpart, Adil Abdel-Mahdi. 'I just keep coming back, coming back.'

This is the US vice president's third visit to Iraq this year, following trips in July and January.

Earlier Wednesday, Biden had met with Sunni politicians Ayad al- Samarrai, who is speaker of the parliament, Rafi al-Issawi, a deputy prime minister, and Sunni vice-president Tariq al-Hashemi.

An Iraqi government statement issued after Biden and al-Issawi met, said the two had discussed the future of US troops in Iraq, the political process in the country, and security concerns, but did not elaborate.

At each brief meeting, the US vice president greeted the Iraqi officials warmly, with traditional kisses on each cheek, and giving each a crystal bowl engraved with his signature, according to a reporter who is traveling with him.

In exchange, he received a golden statue of a palm tree, according to the pool report.

Biden on Tuesday night told reporters he had 'a personal relationship' with Iraqi leaders, and that he had 'won a measure of trust' from them.

Following his meeting with Biden, al-Samarrai, the speaker of the parliament said that Iraq remained interested in 'building international support for the state, the democratic process, and in addressing all outstanding issues.'

Biden was scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki and US troops later on Wednesday, a spokesman said.

Officials were keeping details of his future meetings quiet for security reasons.