Baghdad - US Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday appeared unfazed by the lethal rocket attacks that greeted his arrival in Baghdad the night before, exchanging gifts and joking with Iraqi officials.

Iraqi police said that two people died and five were wounded in Tuesday night's rocket attacks, which the Mujahidine Army insurgent group called a "reception" for Biden in claiming responsibility on an Islamist website, according to Washington SITE Intelligence Group.

"You can't get rid of me," Biden joked when meeting his Iraqi counterpart, Adil Abdel-Mahdi. "I just keep coming back, coming back."

This is the US vice president's third visit to Iraq this year, following trips in July and January.

Previously, Biden had met with Sunni politicians Ayad al-Samarrai, speaker of the Iraqi parliament; Rafi al-Issawi, a deputy prime minister; and Tariq al-Hashemi, the Sunni vice president.

At each brief meeting, the US vice president greeted the Iraqi officials warmly, bestowing the traditional kisses on each cheek, and giving each a crystal bowl engraved with his signature, according to a reporter who is traveling with him.

In exchange, he received a golden statue of a palm tree, according to the pool report.

Biden on Tuesday night told reporters he had "a personal relationship" with Iraqi leaders, and that he had "won a measure of trust" from them.

An Iraqi government statement sent to reporters after Biden's closed meeting with al-Issawi, Iraq's Sunni deputy prime minister, said the two had discussed the future of US troops in Iraq, the political process in the country, and security concerns, but did not elaborate.

Biden was scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki and US troops later on Wednesday, a spokesman said.

Officials were keeping details of his future meetings quiet for security reasons. (dpa)