US President Joe Biden meets Irish counterpart in Dublin

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - On day two of his first trip to Ireland as US president, Joe Biden on Thursday met in the capital Dublin with Irish President Michael Higgins.

He began his working day with a visit to Aras an Uachtarain, the home of the Irish president in Phoenix Park, where he inspected a military guard of honor and signed the visitors' book.

Biden also planted an oak tree to mark the occasion and rang the Bell of Peace, which was erected in 2008 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, meant to end the era of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

In his message in the visitors' book, Biden quoted an Irish proverb, "your feet will bring you where your heart is," saying it was "an honor to return" to Ireland, where his family has deep roots.

Biden’s visit brought tight security measures to Dublin, with several roads in the city center closed.

Authorities also covered with polythene wrap trash bins along the route that the US president will take.

To ensure security, Phoenix Park has been closed until late afternoon on Thursday, and sidewalks near Dublin Castle will be shut for pedestrians until late night Friday.

The president will also address a joint session of the Irish parliament about US-Irish cooperation to advance democracy, peace, and security, according to an official statement.