Iraq war critic Obama flies in to meet up with forces

Published on Monday 21 July 2008 10:32

US Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama arrived in Iraq today to meet with commanders and troops in a war he has long opposed.

Mr Obama is expected to meet General David Petraeus as well as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki while in the country, although aides provided few details, citing security concerns.

Mr Obama is in the country as part of a congressional delegation that also includes Senators Jack Reed and Chuck Hagel. All three are long-time critics of the US involvement in the war in Iraq.

They have already made stops in Kuwait and Afghanistan.

Mr Obama is anxious to bolster his foreign policy credentials and counter accusations from Republican presidential rival John McCain that he has not seen conditions in Iraq for himself.

He has pledged to withdraw US combat troops from Iraq within 16 months if he wins office, but would leave a residual force in the country to provide security.