Obama to discuss Iraq’s political situation with al-Maliki – spokesman

Obama-Maliki BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The spokesman for the White House, Robert Gibbs, said on Tuesday that the U.S. President Barack Obama will discuss Iraq‘s political situation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. Obama chose to visit Iraq rather than Afghanistan because of its proximity to Turkey, which Obama just visited, Robert Gibbs told the CNN. In addition, Obama wanted to discuss Iraq‘s political situation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, Gibbs said. Mostly, however, the stop is about Obama visiting troops, he said. Obama will meet with the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno and with members of the U.S. military in Iraq to review with them the military situation in the country, Gibbs added. Obama’s stop in Iraq came at the conclusion of his first overseas trip as president. A source from the Iraqi cabinet said that tight security measures have been adopted during the surprise visit of U.S. President Barack Obama. Obama had arrived in Baghdad earlier on Tuesday in a surprise visit to the country, his first to an Arab country since assuming office last January. SH (S)/SR 1