US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in Baghdad last evening . According to a statement of US mission in Iraq, during his visit Mr. Biden will meet Iraqi leaders and U.S. troops as they prepare for the upcoming elections in the country due in March this year. Today he will meet Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani.Observers say that US vice President is on the mission aimed at defusing the political crisis after more than 500 candidates were barred from March elections. The list of these candidates who are alleged to have links with former president Saddam Hussein’s Bath party has created tension among some Sunni political parties. A leading Sunni MP and critic of the present Iraqi Prime Minister is among those who have been barred. The Prime minister however denied that any particular party is targeted ahead of the elections.