Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Yahoo! News Photos

US Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AFP/POOL) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:20:03 GMT

(AFP/POOL) - US Vice President Joe Biden (left) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki answer questions during a joint press conference in Baghdad. Biden said that America's role in Iraq is switching from deep military engagement to one of diplomatic support, ahead of a complete withdrawal from the country in 2011.(AFP/POOL/Khalid Mohammed)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:52:25 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki hold a joint news conference in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool

US Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AFP/POOL) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:50:23 GMT

(AFP/POOL) - US Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki give a press conference following a meeting in Baghdad. Biden on Friday warned Iraqi officials that Washington would politically disengage if sectarian and ethnic strife resumed as he warned of a "hard road ahead".(AFP/POOL/Khalid Mohammed)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (2nd L) holds hands with Iraqi ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:41:06 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (2nd L) holds hands with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad July 3, 2009. Iraq has a hard road ahead if it is to heal the divisions that spurred six years of bloodshed and achieve lasting peace, Biden said during a trip there on Friday. REUTERS/Iraqi Government/Handout (IRAQ CONFLICT POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, center left, and Iraqi Prime ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:14:06 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, center left, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, center right, meet in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (4th L) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 21:06:51 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (4th L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (4th R) meet in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:55:29 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, meet in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden reacts, during a meeting with ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:43:27 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden reacts, during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, not seen, in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden smiles during a meeting with ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:41:03 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden smiles during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:29:01 GMT

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden gestures during a meeting with ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:28:58 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden gestures during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed/Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:51 GMT

(Reuters) - REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden gestures during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed/Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:47 GMT

(Reuters) - REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki meet in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden gestures during a meeting with ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:47 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden gestures during a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, not seen, in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:27:43 GMT

(Reuters) - REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki arrive at a joint news conference in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:24:26 GMT

(Reuters) - REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (R) shake hands in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed/Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:24:22 GMT

REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:23:14 GMT

(Reuters) - REFILE - CORRECTING FIRST NAME OF IRAQI PM U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki meet in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed/Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:22:07 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki meet in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:22:06 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, arrive at a joint news conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:17:43 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki arrive at a joint news conference in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:14:33 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki hold a joint news conference in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed /Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:11:38 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, hold a joint news conference in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri ...

(Reuters) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:06:44 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (R) shake hands in Baghdad July 3, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed/Pool (IRAQ POLITICS)

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister ...

(AP) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:56:49 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, left, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, right, shake hands in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 3, 2009. Biden made his first visit to Iraq after being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy. Biden's arrival late Thursday came just came days after all U.S. combat troops were pulled out of Iraq's cities and towns on June 30, part of a security agreement that will see all American soldiers out of the country by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/ Khalid Mohammed, Pool)

In this handout made available by the Iraqi Prime Minister's ...

(AFP/IRAQI PM OFFICE) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:27:44 GMT

(AFP/IRAQI PM OFFICE) - In this handout made available by the Iraqi Prime Minister's office Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (R) shakes hands with French Prime Minister Francois Fillon in Baghdad. Fillon made a lightning visit to Baghdad on Thursday with a delegation of officials and business leaders seeking to raise France's profile in Iraq.(AFP/IRAQI PM OFFICE)

In this image released by the Iraqi Government, French Prime ...

(AP) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:21:24 GMT

(AP) - In this image released by the Iraqi Government, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, left, stands with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a welcoming ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, July 2, 2009. France prime minister agreed to boost business ties with Iraq and his country signed a number of agreements to promote investments. (AP Photo/Iraq Prime Minister's Office)

France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (L) and Iraq's ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:54:00 GMT

(Reuters) - France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (L) and Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki listen to their national anthems during a meeting in Baghdad July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government/Handout (IRAQ POLITICS)

France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (L) shakes hands ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:51:42 GMT

(Reuters) - France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (L) shakes hands with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a meeting in Baghdad July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government/Handout (IRAQ POLITICS)

France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (L) and Iraq's ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:47:01 GMT

France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon (L) shakes hands ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:34:53 GMT

France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon talks to Iraq's ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:33:40 GMT

(Reuters) - France's Prime Minister Francois Fillon talks to Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a meeting in Baghdad July 2, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government/Handout (IRAQ POLITICS)

Iraqi security forces march as they hold a picture of Iraqi ...

(Reuters) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:28:28 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraqi security forces march as they hold a picture of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a parade to celebrate the withdrawal of U.S. troops, in Mosul, 390 km (240 miles) north of Baghdad July 1, 2009. REUTERS/Khalid al-Mousuly (IRAQ CONFLICT MILITARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki gives a speech prior to ...

(AFP) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:24:53 GMT

(AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki gives a speech prior to the unveiling of the names of the foreign firms that have won contracts to develop key oil and gas fields in central Baghdad on June 30. Iraq said it has rejected further offers from foreign companies to work in the country's oil and gas sector and pledged that some sites will instead be solely exploited by state-owned firms.(AFP/Sabah Arar)

Iraqi security forces carry a portrait of Prime Minister Nouri ...

(AP) — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:43:53 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi security forces carry a portrait of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a parade in Mosul, 360 kilometers, 225 miles, northwest of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, July 1, 2009. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki left, attends the Iraqi ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:29:28 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki left, attends the Iraqi Army and police parade in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, June 30, 2009. To mark the day they took control of security for baghdad and other cities. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/(Karim Kadim)

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:58:44 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender for an oil and gas field, in Baghdad June 30, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government /Handout (IRAQ POLITICS ENERGY)

Iraqi honor guards parade in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:13:18 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi honor guards parade in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Tuesday June 30, 2009 to mark the day they took control of security for Baghdad and other cities. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi Honor Guards prepare to paraded in front of Prime Minister ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:10:50 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi Honor Guards prepare to paraded in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Tuesday, June 19, 2009 to mark the day they took control of security for Baghdad and other cities. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi forces parade with their national colours in front of ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:59:22 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi forces parade with their national colours in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, unseen, on Tuesday June 30, 2009, as they mark the day they took control of security for Baghdad and other cities in Iraq. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi forces paraded in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:53:27 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi forces paraded in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday June 30, 2009, as they mark the day they took control of security for Baghdad and other cities in Iraq. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraqi forces parade in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ...

(AP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:23:50 GMT

(AP) - Iraqi forces parade in front of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday June 30 2009, to mark the day they took control of security for Baghdad and other cities. The U.S. withdrew its combat troops from major urban areas on June 30 as part of a security agreement that will see American forces out of Iraq by the end of 2011. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim)

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender ...

(Reuters) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:46:25 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki speaks during a tender in Baghdad June 30, 2009. Iraq auctioned contracts to run eight giant oil and gas fields on Tuesday as it sought to take charge of its own reconstruction after six years of war, but oil companies were reluctant to pay what it asked. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani (IRAQ BUSINESS ENERGY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

An Iraqi worker checks the valves at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraqi ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:05 GMT

(AFP) - An Iraqi worker checks the valves at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki opened a meeting expected to unveil which foreign companies have won contracts to develop the conflict-torn nation's key oil and gas fields.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

An Iraqi engineer carries outs checks at the Kirkuk oil field. ...

(AFP) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:08:05 GMT

(AFP) - An Iraqi engineer carries outs checks at the Kirkuk oil field. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki opened a meeting expected to unveil which foreign companies have won contracts to develop the conflict-torn nation's key oil and gas fields.(AFP/Marwan Ibrahim)

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (center R) meets Australia's ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:44:16 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (center R) meets Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard (center L) and the Australian delegation in Baghdad June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government /Handout (IRAQ CONFLICT) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard (L) shakes ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:41:42 GMT

(Reuters) - Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard (L) shakes hands with Iraq's Minister for Higher Education Abd Thiab al-Ajili as Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (C) looks on after signing a memorandum in Baghdad June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government /Handout (IRAQ POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard (L) speaks ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:39:37 GMT

(Reuters) - Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard (L) speaks with Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki during a meeting in Baghdad June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government /Handout (IRAQ POLITICS) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard (L) shakes ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:37:17 GMT

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (C) meets tribe leaders ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:28:34 GMT

(Reuters) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (C) meets tribe leaders and officials of Salahuddin province, in Baghdad June 27, 2009. REUTERS/Iraqi Government /Handout