VP-elect Biden to visit Southwest Asia

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President-elect Joe Biden will visit Southwest Asia later this week as part of a congressional fact-finding tour, his office announced on Monday.

Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander would not say which countries Biden will visit, saying that due to security reasons, details of his itinerary will be released as the trip progresses.

Biden, who has not yet resigned as Democratic senator from Delaware, is making the trip in his capacity as the outgoing chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He takes over the vice presidency on January 20.

He will be joined on the trip by the incoming chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Massachusetts Democratic Sen. John Kerry; Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Jack Reed, Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham.

"The fact-finding delegation will make it clear to foreign leaders that they are not there to speak on behalf of the U.S. government, or convey policy positions for the incoming administration," Alexander said.

"The delegation extends its thanks to the Bush administration for their cooperation in making this trip possible," she added.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Jackie Frank)