This afternoon, Vice President Biden spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.  The Vice President emphasized that the United States stands with Iraq in its fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.  The Vice President expressed concern for those Iraqis who are suffering at the hands of terrorists and praised the recent security cooperation between Iraqi Security Forces and local and tribal forces in Anbar province.   Prime Minister Maliki affirmed the importance of working closely with Iraq’s Sunni leaders and communities to isolate extremists.  The Vice President and Prime Minister agreed to continue to deepen the U.S.-Iraq security partnership under the Strategic Framework Agreement.