Biden confident Iraqis can settle election dispute over candidates with suspected Saddam ties

Biden confident Iraqis to settle election dispute

BAGHDAD — U.S. Vice President Joe Biden says he’s confident Iraqis are working toward a solution to difficult pre-election dispute.

Biden is in Baghdad for meetings with Iraqi leaders. A top issue is how to settle a dispute over whether candidates with suspected ties to Saddam Hussein’s government should be barred from the election.

The U.S. doesn’t want to see a delay in the March election. That vote is a milestone on the way to a U.S. troop withdrawal.

Biden met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (jahl-LAHL’ tahl-ah-BAH’-nee) on Saturday, but neither spelled out specific solutions.

Biden says he’s not visiting and trying to settle a problem that is Iraq’s to solve.