US VP arrives in Baghdad on surprise visit

BAGHDAD -- US Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday arrived in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on an unannounced visit, local media reported.

Pence's trip included visiting the US troops in Ayn al-Asad air base in Iraq's western province of Anbar, where hundreds of US troops are stationed, the Iraqi NINA news agency said.

Pence's visit came at a time when Iraq is witnessing anti-government protests, demanding comprehensive reform of the political system and early elections, NINA reported.

The US vice president is also expected to meet with top Iraqi leaders to discuss the latest developments in Iraq and the bilateral relations, it added.