Readout of Vice President Biden's Call to Iraqi Leaders

The Vice President spoke by phone today with Prime Minister and State of Law leader Nouri al-Maliki and with former Prime Minister and Iraqiyya leader Dr. Ayad Allawi to discuss recent developments in Iraq. The Vice President reiterated his call for an inclusive government, noting that the United States expects all four winning Iraqi coalitions to play a meaningful role in the process of government formation and in the new government. He expressed support for the Iraqi leaders' efforts to form, without delay, a government that can work on behalf of the Iraqi people. The Vice President underlined the United States' commitment to a long-term relationship with Iraq.