4 Jul 2010

Biden in Baghdad

6:17 am on 4 July 2010

United States Vice President Joe Biden is in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi leaders, amid deadlock over the formation of a new government.

Mr Biden's visit comes four months after an inconclusive election on 7 March, in which no clear winner emerged.

He will hold discussions with lawmakers and mark the Fourth of July holiday with US troops.

The visit is his second to Iraq this year. The BBC reports the United States is concerned that the power vacuum could lead to an increase in violence.