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Bush in Jordan for talks on Iraq Bush in Jordan for talks on Iraq
(19 minutes later)
US President George W Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki have arrived in Jordan for key Iraq talks. US President George W Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki are in Jordan for talks on how to contain the increasing violence in Iraq.
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. They are due to have dinner with Jordan's King Abdullah.
But in protest against the meeting, the Iraqi political group loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr is suspending its participation in the government.But in protest against the meeting, the Iraqi political group loyal to Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr is suspending its participation in the government.
The group of 30 MPs said the meeting was a provocation to the Iraqi people. The group, which has 30 MPs and a handful of ministers, said the meeting was a provocation to the Iraqi people.
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. The group had been making the threat for some days and had called for Mr Maliki to call off the Jordan 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 King Abdullah of Jordan US memo raises Maliki doubtsWe [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 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.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.
Iraq is facing some of the worst violence since the US-led invasion in 2003.
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.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.
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.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.
'Whirlpool of violence''Whirlpool of violence'
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.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.
The two men will hold talks with Mr Bush later this evening.The two men will hold talks with Mr Bush later this evening.
On Tuesday, King Abdullah told the BBC Arabic Service he was very concerned about increasing violence in Iraq.On Tuesday, King Abdullah told the BBC Arabic Service he was very concerned about increasing violence in Iraq.
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.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.
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.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.
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".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".
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.