Secretary Rice Makes Surprise Visit to Iraq Secretary Rice (Oct. 5): "I would like to thank Prime Minister Maliki for the warm reception. I also would like to thank him very much for his excellent leadership of Iraq. This is an important time and a challenge for the Iraqi people, but they are a strong people, they are a committed people and we know that they will overcome these challenges." (read more)   Photos from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel, and Iraq.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice traveled to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Israel the Palestinian Territories, and Iraq. At the President’s request, Secretary Rice led a diplomatic effort to engage moderate leaders across the region. In Saudi Arabia the Secretary met in Jeddah with Saudi King Abdullah. In Cairo she met with President Mubarak and Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit. Later in the trip she met with Palestinian Authority President Abbas and with Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni. She then went to Baghdad and held meetings with Iraqi government officials, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. On October 6 Secretary Rice traveled to London, United Kingdom for the P5+1 meeting on Iran, returning to Washington on October 7.   --10/06/06  Briefing En Route London, United Kingdom --10/06/06  Remarks With The President of the Kurdish Regional Government Massoud Barzani --10/05/06  Remarks With Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki  --10/05/06  Briefing En Route Baghdad, Iraq --10/04/06  Remarks With Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas --10/03/06  Democracy Discussion With Print Media --10/03/06  Remarks With Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit After Their Meeting --10/03/06  Interview With Amal Roushdy Hammady of Nile TelevisionBriefing En Route Shannon, Ireland --10/06/06  On-the-Record Briefing on Iran by Under Secretary Burns --10/03/06  Interview With Randa Abu el Azem of Al Arabiya TV --10/03/06  Remarks With Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud --10/01/06   --10/06/06  P5+1 Statement on Iran --09/20/06  Quartet Statement on Middle East Peace