BAGHDAD – Vice President Joe Biden's surprise two-day visit this weekend to Iraq was meant to "re-establish contact" with leaders here, but some Iraqis bristled at the messenger.

Biden is well-known in Iraq for his earlier support of a plan to give three-way autonomy to each major ethnic group – Sunni Arab, Shiite Arab and Kurd – under a central government.

Protesters burned a U.S. flag in Sadr City, a crowded Baghdad slum, and chanted, "No, no for occupation! No, no for America!"

One of them, Mohammed Kathem, 40, an administrator, said many of the protesters hit the streets after an imam encouraged them to do so at Friday prayers.

"Biden's visit sent the signal to us that Iraq will be divided," he said. "Biden's background doesn't allow him to play any role in reconciliation."

The vice president's visit came three days after the U.S. military withdrew its combat forces from major Iraqi cities. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared June 30 "Sovereignty Day" and a national holiday.

Biden pressed Iraqi leaders Friday to do more to foster national reconciliation and offered U.S. assistance in achieving that as concerns grow that a lack of political progress is fueling violence in Iraq.

Biden, who was making his first visit to Baghdad since being appointed to oversee the administration's Iraq policy, said he came with a message of continuing support for the country even as the U.S. military pulls back.

"There are still political steps that must be taken, and Iraqis must use the political process to resolve their remaining differences and advance their national interest," he said.

Biden is assessing Iraq's ability to reach consensus with a 2011 deadline looming for removal of all U.S. forces.

McClatchy Newspapers,

The Associated Press

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