Reed sees Obama gain in Mideast trip

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Jack Reed says Democrat Barack Obama's face-to-face meetings with leaders in Iraq and Afghanistan during their recent Mideast trip provided valuable insights for the presumed Democratic presidential nominee.

The Rhode Island Democrat said Thursday in an interview with The Associated Press that the round of meetings, including diplomats and top U.S. military commanders, was both candid and substantive.

He says Obama warned Iraqi leaders that unless their fledgling government delivers soon, the military progress could be erased.

Reed returned to Capitol Hill after the six-day trip that also included stops in Jordan and Kuwait.