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US 'open to Iran talks on Iraq' Iran and Syria urged to help Iraq
(about 5 hours later)
The White House has indicated it will consider talking to Iran and Syria about the future of Iraq. The ongoing unrest in Iraq has prompted international calls for Syria and Iran to work with Western powers in seeking an end to sectarian violence there.
Ex-US Secretary of State James Baker, who heads the Iraq Study Group, is leading a delegation to the White House for talks with President George W Bush. The White House has indicated it will consider talking to both countries.
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. President George W Bush on Monday met members of an expert panel known as the Iraq Study Group, which has been re-evaluating US strategy in Iraq.
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is also expected to call for Syria and Iran to co-operate in a speech later on Monday.
The UK Foreign Secretary, Margaret Beckett, has already said the two countries should be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
We in Syria believe that engagement with the United States on Iraq can help a lot, because we believe that we need to stabilise the situation in Iraq and support the political process there Imad MoustaphaSyrian ambassador to the US
In a keynote speech in London, Mr Blair is expected to go even further, urging Iran and Syria to play a constructive role in securing a broader Middle East peace settlement.
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".
Mr Blair will speak to the Iraq Study Group via video link on Tuesday.
Admission of failure
The Syrian ambassador to Washington, Imad Moustapha, has said his government would be glad to play a role in Iraq - as long as the Iraqis themselves wanted it.
"We are willing to engage and we can help - I'm not claiming we have the magical wand - we can help play a constructive role. We have played a constructive role in the past," Mr Moustapha told the BBC.
But he said the US first had to accept its policy in Iraq had failed.
Josh Bolten (r) said a fresh approach was needed in Iraq"If they [the United States] really want to hold talks with Iran, they should officially propose it and then Iran will review it," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini told Reuters news agency.
The cross-party Iraq Study Group, due to give its recommendations by the end of the year, is believed to favour renewing contacts with Tehran and Damascus.
The White House chief-of-staff has said Mr Bush will look at all the options.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.Speaking on ABC's This Week programme, Josh Bolten said "a fresh approach" was clearly needed on Iraq.
We in Syria believe that engagement with the United States on Iraq can help a lot, because we believe that we need to stabilise the situation in Iraq and support the political process there Imad MoustaphaSyrian ambassador to the US
Asked if he favoured the idea of including Iraq's neighbours, Iran and Syria, in discussions, Mr Bolten said all options would be considered.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.
Phased withdrawalPhased withdrawal
Iraq was seen as a key factor in the Republican defeat in mid-term polls and US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.Iraq was seen as a key factor in the Republican defeat in mid-term polls and US defence chief Donald Rumsfeld's resignation.
Senior Democrats have called for a phased pullout of US troops.Senior Democrats have called for a phased pullout of US troops.
Josh Bolten (r) said a fresh approach was needed in Iraq"We have to tell Iraqis that the open-ended commitment is over," said Carl Levin, the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We have to tell Iraqis that the open-ended commitment is over," said Carl Levin, the incoming chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
He said he wanted phased troop withdrawals beginning in a few months and he said some Republican senators were preparing to back him.He said he wanted phased troop withdrawals beginning in a few months and he said some Republican senators were preparing to back him.
Mr Blair will speak to the Iraq Study Group via video link on Tuesday. The Iraq Study Group, asked by Congress to examine the effectiveness of policy in Iraq, reportedly thinks that "staying the course" is an untenable long-term strategy.
He will be making his speech in London's financial centre on Monday evening.
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".
Seeking stability
Both Syria and Iran have said they are ready to consider any US offer for them to play a role in stabilising the region.
"If they [the United States] really want to hold talks with Iran, they should officially propose it and then Iran will review it," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammad Ali Hosseini, told Reuters news agency.
The Syrian ambassador to the US, Imad Moustapha, told the BBC his government would be glad to play a role in helping to stabilise Iraq - as long as the Iraqis wanted it.
But he said the US first had to accept its policy in Iraq had failed.
The Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan US task force asked by Congress to examine the effectiveness of policy in Iraq, 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.
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.