Jeffrey, a veteran diplomat with extensive experience of the Middle East, met President Jalal Talabani and Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari at ceremonies in Baghdad, it said.

"It is a great honour for me to return to Iraq," Jeffrey was quoted as saying.

"I look forward to renewing old friendships, strengthening our ties with Iraqi leaders and deepening our civilian engagement for the long term throughout this historic land."

On August 5, the US Senate unanimously confirmed Jeffrey's appointment to replace Christopher Hill, in a diplomatic move that coincides with President Barack Obama's pledge to end combat operations in Iraq by the end of the month.

Jeffrey's career includes a previous stint in Baghdad, unlike Hill, who was best known for his high-profile post as the Bush administration's point man on North Korea's nuclear programme.

Jeffrey had most recently served as ambassador to Turkey, a NATO ally that has seen its usually warm ties with Washington frayed over Ankara's tensions with Israel and opposition to US-backed sanctions on Iran.

Before being appointed to his post in Ankara, he served as deputy national security adviser and assistant to the president at the White House under George W. Bush's administration.

Hill left Baghdad last week after a 16-month stint latterly dominated by a political stalemate after a deadlocked parliamentary election on March 7 in which no clear winner emerged and from which no government has taken office.

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