Reed joins Obama on Baghdad tour

BAGHDAD - Senator Jack Reed is with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as he begins his first on-the-ground inspection of Iraq since launching his bid for the White House.

Reed spent the weekend in Afghanistan with Obama and Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel.

While there, Obama met with U.S. military commanders and troops and held talks with President Hamid Karzai.

In Iraq, Obama is expected to meet with the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, and other military chiefs.

He was seen Monday arriving for a meeting with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the heavily protected Green Zone.