Clinton promises support to violence-hit Iraq

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a surprise visit to Baghdad on Saturday, promising support to the country in the wake of several bomb attacks which rocked the Iraqi capital this week.US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Saturday promised that America will give Iraq the support it needs to stay secure amid simmering violence just weeks before a planned US troop drawdown.Clinton landed in the Iraqi capital a day after two suicide attackers killed at least 58 people at a Shiite shrine in the city, and less than 48 hours after a similar attack killed dozens in a northern town.A series of bombings and suicide attacks have claimed more than 250 lives so far this month ahead of a June 30 deadline for US troops to leave Iraqi cities and major towns.Clinton, paying her first visit to Iraq as America's top diplomat, took questions from an invited audience of about 140 Iraqis, including students, teachers and members of women's groups, some of whom expressed security fears."We are not going to tell you how to resolve internal political issues, you have to decide that," Clinton said at the US Embassy organised event."But we will continue to work very, very hard to give you the tools to make sure that you have a secure country."Clinton, however, appealed for national unity and said only Iraqis could ensure stability in the long-term and it was up to them to decide if former elements of Saddam Hussein's regime could join the security forces.