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Iraq PM in Amman for crisis talks Bush in Jordan for talks on Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has arrived in Jordan's capital, Amman, for talks with US President George W Bush. US President George W Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki have arrived in Jordan for key Iraq talks.
They are expected to discuss how to improve the security situation in Iraq, following some of the worst violence since the US-led invasion in 2003. They are expected to discuss how to improve the security situation there, following some of the worst violence since the US-led invasion in 2003.
In Iraq, the political group loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has said it is suspending its participation in the government and the parliament. But in protest against the meeting, the Iraqi political group loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr is suspending its participation in the government.
It said the move was in protest at the Mr Maliki's visit to Jordan. The group of 30 MPs said the meeting was a provocation to the Iraqi people.
In a statement, the group said Mr Maliki's meeting was a provocation to the Iraqi people and a violation of their constitutional rights The political group, which has a handful of cabinet ministers, had been making the threat for some days and had called for Mr Maliki to call off the Jordan meeting.
President Bush, who is going to Amman from the Nato summit in Latvia, is expected to give public support to Mr Maliki, but privately will be renewing pressure on him to take action against Shia militias, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Amman. We [urge] our brothers in Iraq, the Iraqi political and religious leadership - be they Shia or Sunni - to realise the seriousness of the situation King Abdullah of Jordan href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6157031.stm" class="">US memo raises Maliki doubts
The choice of a suspension leaves the way open for a return to the fold, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
President Bush, who arrived from the Nato summit in Latvia, is expected to give public support to Mr Maliki, but privately will be renewing pressure on him to take action against Shia militias, our correspondent says.
The two leaders will also discuss moves to transfer more responsibility to Iraq's security forces.The two leaders will also discuss moves to transfer more responsibility to Iraq's security forces.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who has extended a visit to the Iranian capital, urged Tehran to back the elected Iraqi government, not Shia militia groups. Meanwhile Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who has been holding talks with Iranian leaders in Tehran, has urged Iran to back the elected Iraqi government, not Shia militia groups.
Memo revealed 'Whirlpool of violence'
On the eve of the Amman meeting, Jordan's King Abdullah told the BBC Arabic Service he was very concerned about increasing violence in Iraq and urged Iraqi leaders not to let their country disintegrate. Jordan's King Abdullah met Mr Maliki shortly after the Iraqi prime minister's arrival. He told him that "national reconciliation among all the Iraqi factions" was the only solution to the crisis in Iraq, a statement from the Royal Palace said.
Security has been stepped up in Amman ahead of the meeting"We have warned, from the start and on more than one occasion, of the danger of turning a political dispute into a sectarian and religious conflict among the people of one religion and one country," he said. The two men will hold talks with Mr Bush later this evening.
"We [urge] our brothers in Iraq, the Iraqi political and religious leadership - be they Shia or Sunni - to realise the seriousness of the situation and not to allow any conspiracy to pass aimed at dividing or destroying Iraq in a whirlpool of violence and chaos." On Tuesday, King Abdullah told the BBC Arabic Service he was very concerned about increasing violence in Iraq.
Meanwhile, the New York Times newspaper has published details of a memo in which Mr Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, raises doubts about Mr Maliki's ability to control sectarian violence. Security has been stepped up in Amman ahead of the meeting"We [urge] our brothers in Iraq, the Iraqi political and religious leadership - be they Shia or Sunni - to realise the seriousness of the situation and not to allow any conspiracy to pass aimed at dividing or destroying Iraq in a whirlpool of violence and chaos," he said.
According to the Times, the 8 November memo to top US officials recommends that the White House take extra steps to strengthen Mr Maliki's hand. The Amman meeting comes as the New York Times newspaper published details of a memo in which Mr Bush's national security adviser, Stephen Hadley, raised doubts about Mr Maliki's ability to control sectarian violence.
"His [Mr Maliki's] intentions seem good when he talks to the Americans, and sensitive reporting suggests he is trying to stand up to the Shia hierarchy and force positive change", the memo says. According to the Times, the 8 November memo said that while Mr Maliki's intentions seemed good, his capabilities were "not yet sufficient to turn his good intentions into actions".
"But the reality on the streets of Baghdad suggests Maliki is either ignorant of what is going on, misrepresenting his intentions or that his capabilities are not yet sufficient to turn his good intentions into actions."
White House spokesman Tony Snow, travelling with Mr Bush, said the chief aim of the memo was "to support Maliki and enhance his capabilities".White House spokesman Tony Snow, travelling with Mr Bush, said the chief aim of the memo was "to support Maliki and enhance his capabilities".
New level of violenceNew level of violence
The Amman summit follows one of the bloodiest weeks in Iraq since the American-led invasion in 2003.The Amman summit follows one of the bloodiest weeks in Iraq since the American-led invasion in 2003.
Mr Bush is facing growing political pressure over the lack of progress in Iraq and the rising tide of violence, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington.Mr Bush is facing growing political pressure over the lack of progress in Iraq and the rising tide of violence, says the BBC's Jonathan Beale in Washington.
Even the White House acknowledges the violence has reached a new phase, though it still dismisses talk of a civil war, he says.Even the White House acknowledges the violence has reached a new phase, though it still dismisses talk of a civil war, he says.
Mr Bush is also under pressure to redouble US efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, our correspondent says, and will be told by King Abdullah that it is the most pressing crisis in the region.Mr Bush is also under pressure to redouble US efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, our correspondent says, and will be told by King Abdullah that it is the most pressing crisis in the region.
Even Washington's strongest Arab allies are showing signs of frustration at US policies in the Middle East, he adds.Even Washington's strongest Arab allies are showing signs of frustration at US policies in the Middle East, he adds.