U.S. presidential candidate McCain arrives in Iraq

BAGHDAD, March 16 (Reuters) - U.S. Republican presidential candidate John McCain arrived in Iraq on Sunday to assess improved security attributed to a build-up of 30,000 extra troops of which he has been a strong supporter.

McCain arrived in Baghdad and was due to meet Iraqi government leaders and U.S. officials in the heavily fortified "Green Zone" diplomatic and government compound, U.S. embassy spokeswoman Mirembe Nantongo said.

"I can confirm he did arrive," Nantongo said.

Attacks across Iraq have fallen by 60 percent since last June, when extra troops were fully deployed. There has been a fall in violence since January but U.S. commanders in Iraq say this does not represent a trend.

McCain is making his eighth visit to Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in March 2003.

He originally opposed the way the war was being conducted before the troop build-up began last year as part of a new counter-insurgency strategy by U.S. commanders. (Baghdad newsroom)