Kerry Arrives in Baghdad in Unannounced Visit

Local Editor

US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Monday to discuss the US' actions to "assist" Iraq as it confronts a threat by insurgents that has swept much of northern and western Iraq.

Kerry would "discuss US actions underway to assist Iraq as it confronts this threat and urge Iraqi leaders to move forward as quickly as possible with its government formation process to form a government that represents the interests of Iraqis," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Flying in on a visit which the State Department had sought to keep secret amid security concerns, Kerry was to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki, as well as other top Iraqi leaders.

On Sunday, Kerry said the US would not pick or choose who rules Baghdad. However, he said Washington had noted the dissatisfaction among some with Maliki's leadership and emphasized that the US wanted Iraqis to "find a leadership that was prepared to be inclusive and share power."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team