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US 'open to Iran talks on Iraq' US 'open to Iran talks on Iraq'
(about 3 hours later)
The White House has indicated it will consider talking to Iran and Syria about the future of Iraq.The White House has indicated it will consider talking to Iran and Syria about the future of Iraq.
Chief-of-staff Josh Bolten told the ABC network that President George W Bush would look at all the options when he meets a panel of advisers on Monday. Former US Secretary of State James Baker, who heads the Iraq Study Group, is leading a delegation to the White House for talks with President Bush.
The Iraq Study Group panel, due to give its recommendations by the end of the year, is believed to favour renewing contacts with Tehran and Damascus. The cross-party panel, due to give its recommendations by the end of the year, is believed to favour renewing contacts with Tehran and Damascus.
In a speech on Monday, UK PM Tony Blair will call for them to be more involved. The White House chief-of-staff has said Mr Bush will look at all the options.
Speaking on ABC's This Week programme, Josh Bolten said "a fresh approach" was clearly needed on Iraq.
Asked if he favoured the idea of including Iraq's neighbours, Iran and Syria, in discussions, Mr Bolten said all options would be considered.
In a keynote speech in London, UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will call for Iran and Syria to be more involved in efforts to secure peace in the Middle East.
Iraq was a key factor in the Republican defeat in mid-term polls and US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.Iraq was a key factor in the Republican defeat in mid-term polls and US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.
Senior Democrats have urged the preparation for a phased pullout of US troops. Senior Democrats have called for a phased pullout of US troops.
Blair's speechBlair's speech
Speaking on ABC's This Week programme, Mr Bolten - who as White House chief-of-staff is Mr Bush's closest aide - said "a fresh approach" was clearly needed on Iraq. Josh Bolten (r) said a fresh approach was needed in IraqMr Blair will be making his speech in London's financial centre on Monday evening.
Josh Bolten (r) said a fresh approach was needed in Iraq
Asked if he favoured the idea of including Iraq's neighbours, Iran and Syria, in discussions, Mr Bolten said all options would be considered.
According to the office of Mr Blair, the UK prime minister will call for their greater involvement during a keynote speech in London's financial centre on Monday.
An aide said Mr Blair would "make clear to Syria and Iran the basis on which they can help the peaceful development of the Middle East rather than hinder it; and the consequences of not doing so".An aide said Mr Blair would "make clear to Syria and Iran the basis on which they can help the peaceful development of the Middle East rather than hinder it; and the consequences of not doing so".
The Syrian ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, told the BBC his government would be glad to play a role in helping to stabilise the situation in Iraq - as long as the Iraqis themselves wanted it. The Syrian ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, told the BBC his government would be glad to play a role in helping to stabilise the situation in Iraq - as long as the Iraqis wanted it.
But he said the US first had to accept its policy in Iraq had failed.But he said the US first had to accept its policy in Iraq had failed.
Mr Moustapha said if Iraqis realised other Arab countries were supporting their peace process, it would serve to calm political tensions.Mr Moustapha said if Iraqis realised other Arab countries were supporting their peace process, it would serve to calm political tensions.
Phased withdrawalPhased withdrawal
The Iraq Study group, the bipartisan US task force asked by Congress to examine the effectiveness of policy in Iraq, is to meet Mr Bush at the White House on Monday. The Iraq Study group, the bipartisan US task force asked by Congress to examine the effectiveness of policy in Iraq, is to meet Mr Bush at the White House.
The panel, which is led by former US Secretary of State James Baker, reportedly thinks that "staying the course" is an untenable long-term strategy. The panel reportedly thinks that "staying the course" is an untenable long-term strategy.
It is said to have been looking at two options, both of which would amount to a reversal of the Bush administration's stance.It is said to have been looking at two options, both of which would amount to a reversal of the Bush administration's stance.
One is the phased withdrawal of US troops, and the other is to increase contact with Syria and Iran to help stop the fighting.One is the phased withdrawal of US troops, and the other is to increase contact with Syria and Iran to help stop the fighting.
In his interview, Mr Bolten dismissed calls for a fixed timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.
The US military confirmed that three US soldiers had been killed in fighting in Iraq's Anbar province on Saturday.
More than 2,800 US troops have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.More than 2,800 US troops have died in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.
Meanwhile four British servicemen have been killed following a bomb attack on a patrol boat in southern Iraq. The US military confirmed that three US soldiers had been killed in fighting in Iraq's Anbar province on Saturday.
Another three suffered serious injuries in the incident, which took place during a routine patrol along the Shatt al-Arab waterway in Basra.