3 arrested for rocket attack during Biden visit

[September 16, 2009]  BAGHDAD (AP) -- The American military says U.S.-Iraqi forces arrested three militants suspected of firing rockets at Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, where visiting Vice President Joe Biden was spending the night.

The military statement Wednesday says a joint rapid-reaction force raided the launch site after three 170mm rockets hit in the Green Zone Tuesday evening. Two Iraqi civilians were killed in the attack.

It says the troops came under small arms fire from a nearby house but were able to arrest three people and seize three rocket rails used in the attack.

The fire came soon after Biden, who was staying in the Green Zone, retired for the evening after talks with U.S. officials there.

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THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.
AP's earlier story is below.

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BAGHDAD (AP) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is meeting with a broad spectrum of Iraqi officials in Baghdad on a trip where he hopes to smooth political differences as the American military moves ahead with plans to pull troops out of the country.

Biden's talks on Wednesday are with Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Sunni leaders including Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, ahead of meetings with Kurdish officials on Thursday.

Biden, who arrived in Iraq Tuesday on his third visit to the country this year, is discussing plans for the January elections and the ongoing violence in Iraq's north.

Biden says the purpose of his visit is to "see how we can be helpful ... in helping them resolve the outstanding political issues they have."

[Associated Press]

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