Obama makes unannounced stop in Baghdad

(CNN) -- President Obama made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Tuesday.

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, met Obama shortly after Air Force One landed in Baghdad about 4:42 p.m. local time (9:42 a.m. ET).

It's "great to see the troops," Obama said shortly after landing. "They're putting their heart and soul into the effort."

The main purpose of Obama's stop was to visit U.S. troops, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs noted. Among other things, Obama will participate in the awarding of 10 medals of valor while in Baghdad.

But Obama also wanted to discuss Iraq's political situation with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Iraqi President Jalal Talibani, Gibbs added.

Obama planned to meet with al-Maliki at the U.S. military's Camp Victory base.

Another reason Obama chose to visit Iraq rather than Afghanistan is because of Iraq's proximity to Turkey, which Obama just visited, said Gibbs.

-CNN