Baghdad- US vice president-elect Joe Biden arrived in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, Iraqi radio reported.

The status of Kirkuk, which is home to a mix of Kurds, Arabs and Turkmen, as well as 10-20 per cent of Iraq's proven oil reserves, has long been a source of dispute.

Many Kurds hope the city will eventually become the capital of an autonomous region in northern Iraq.

Iraqis are expected to watch Biden's comments closely, particularly given the senator's previous support for partitioning Iraq into three semi-autonomous regions.

Biden met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Tuesday morning to discuss the US troop presence there.

Shortly after his arrival Monday night, the senator met with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani and Vice President Adel Abdel Mahdi.

A wave of attacks targeting Iraqi security forces left at least nine people dead and dozens more wounded just hours before Biden's arrival, state media reported.

Biden will next travel to the predominantly Kurdish city of Arbil to meet Massoud Barzani and other senior Kurdish politicians. (dpa)