- BAGHDAD: Vice President Joe Biden has discussed ways to end Iraq's deadlock with the country's President Jalal Talabani in an effort to push leaders to bridge their differences, which have created a dangerous political vacuum.
Talabani said in a statement Monday that the discussion focused on ways to move Iraq's political process forward after it stalled due to March's inconclusive election. No new government has been formed.
Talabani called Biden "a friend" and said they discussed "efforts, exerted to finding a solution" to the political stalemate.
The vice president declined to comment.
On Sunday Biden sat down separately with Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki and his chief challenger, Iyad Allawi. Both claim the right to head Iraq's new government.