Iraqi state television today reported that US Vice President Dick Cheney was in Baghdad, but US officials said Cheney was not in the capital.

State-run Iraqiya TV and the private Al-Arabiya TV station both reported Cheney had arrived in the Iraqi capital this morning, apparently to visit American troops for the Thanksgiving holiday.

But Lt Col Christopher Garver said that the vice president was not in Iraq “as far as we know".

When the vice president’s office announced last night that he would leave Washington tomorrow for a trip to Saudi Arabia, it gave no indication that he also would visit Iraq.

For security reasons, previous visits to Iraq by President George Bush, Cheney and other high administration officials have not been made public in advance, but have been disclosed immediately upon their arrival – regardless of whether they were accompanied by reporters or travelling without a press contingent.

For example, Attorney General Albert Gonzales travelled unannounced and without reporters to Iraq in August, but his visit was disclosed to the press in Baghdad and Washington immediately upon his arrival.

---

08/02/2010: Straw denies ignoring legal advice on Iraq war
05/02/2010: 20 pilgrims killed in Iraq blast
03/02/2010: 20 killed in Iraq blast
02/02/2010: Party colleague warned Blair of 'possible humanitarian crisis' in Iraq
01/02/2010: Woman suicide bomber kills at least 41 pilgrims in Baghdad
29/01/2010: No regrets for Blair on Iraq
29/01/2010: Bereaved families condemn 'smug' Blair
29/01/2010: Bush decided UN backing was not necessary, says Blair
27/01/2010: Goldsmith describes giving green light to Iraq war
26/01/2010: UK government ministers warned of legal risk of Iraq war
26/01/2010: Suicide bomber hits Baghdad lab
25/01/2010: Chemical Ali executed
25/01/2010: At least 11 dead as bombs target Baghdad hotels
22/01/2010: I warned Blair about lack of WMDs, says former UN inspector
21/01/2010: Ex-soldier accused of Iraq bar killings
21/01/2010: British ex-soldier accused of murdering two colleagues in Iraq
19/01/2010: Hoon feared army could not reach Iraq commitment
18/01/2010: Key Blair aide to face Iraq Inquiry
17/01/2010: New death sentence for 'Chemical Ali'
16/01/2010: Iraqi military captures militant leader
13/01/2010: Legal advice on Iraq invasion 'changed'
12/01/2010: Campbell faces Iraq inquiry quiz