WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Iraq on Thursday to discuss the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraqi cities.

    "Vice President Biden has arrived in Iraq to visit U.S. troops and to meet with Iraqi leaders, including President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Speaker of the Council of Representatives Ayad al-Samarrai," the White House said in a statement.