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Dozens killed in Baghdad attacks Iraq PM sets reconciliation talks
(about 6 hours later)
At least 36 people have been killed in shootings, mortar and bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials have said. Iraqi leaders are to meet later this month to seek agreement to end sectarian killings, Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has announced.
"We will agree on a charter of honour to end the bloodshed of Iraqis and sectarian conflict," Mr Maliki said.
He also said Iraq planned to organise a conference with Iraq's neighbours aimed at stemming the spiralling unrest.
Iraq has seen daily sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni communities - 36 died on Tuesday in Baghdad alone.
In northern Baghdad, at least 15 people died and several were injured when gunmen attacked a bus carrying civilian employees of a Shia religious group.In northern Baghdad, at least 15 people died and several were injured when gunmen attacked a bus carrying civilian employees of a Shia religious group.
Shortly afterwards, at least 15 people were killed and some 25 wounded in three car bomb blasts near a petrol station in a south-western district.Shortly afterwards, at least 15 people were killed and some 25 wounded in three car bomb blasts near a petrol station in a south-western district.
Iraq has seen daily sectarian violence between Shia and Sunni communities.
A US soldier was killed and five injured when gunmen attacked a military convoy in the Iraqi capital on Monday, the US military said.A US soldier was killed and five injured when gunmen attacked a military convoy in the Iraqi capital on Monday, the US military said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has meanwhile announced Iraq will this month hold a conference aimed at tackling the spiralling unrest. On Tuesday, the US said it expected all of Iraq would be under the control of Iraqi forces by mid-2007.
Members of all political parties will be invited to the meeting, which will take place after envoy have been sent to neighbouring countries to canvass their views. "We would expect to see the entire country having reached provincial Iraqi control by early fall of next year," Maj Gen William Caldwell said at a news conference in Baghdad.
"We will hold a conference for political parties and entities this month," Mr Maliki said. "We will agree on a charter of honour to end the bloodshed of Iraqis and sectarian conflict." "We should see the complete transfer of command and control of all Iraqi army divisions by late spring, early summer."
"Countries that are keen on the stability and security of Iraq" will also be invited to participate, he said. Regional talks
"In support of the declared National Reconciliation Initiative, the meeting of the political forces will convene in mid-December," Mr Maliki told journalists in Baghdad.
"All Iraq political figures, parties, and organizations - whether members of the political process or otherwise - will take part in the conference in order to sustain national unity," Mr Maliki said.
Once a favourable political climate is created, we will call for a regional conference Nouri MalikiIraq Prime Minister
The prime minister first announced the 24-point national reconciliation plan in June.
The Iraqi prime minister also said Iraqi envoys were being sent to neighbouring countries "to encourage the governments of these brotherly and friendly states to contribute to promoting security and stability in Iraq and supporting the efforts by the Iraqi Government to face terrorism and outlaw groups".
"Once a favourable political climate is created, we will call for a regional conference, which will be attended by these countries that are keen on Iraq's security and stability and that are willing to commit themselves to assisting the Iraqi people."
He did not specify which countries would be invited - or when the regional conference would take place.
'Civil war''Civil war'
In a separate development, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said both his government and the US had to talk to Iran and Syria if they were to deal with the growing violence. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh said both his government and the US had to talk to Iran and Syria if they were to deal with the growing violence.
He told the BBC that that Iraq had depended too much on Washington, forgetting its neighbours. He told the BBC Iraq had depended too much on Washington, forgetting its neighbours.
In Washington, the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, which is issuing its report Wednesday, is expected to recommend talks with Syria and Iran as part of a reappraisal of US policy. On Monday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told the BBC the violence was "much worse" than a civil war.
On Monday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan told the BBC the violence was now "worse than a civil war".
The Iraqi government dismissed Mr Annan's suggestion, saying life was much worse under ousted leader Saddam Hussein.The Iraqi government dismissed Mr Annan's suggestion, saying life was much worse under ousted leader Saddam Hussein.
Roadside bomb
The victims of the bus attack in northern Baghdad were employees of the Shia Endowment - a body that oversees religious sites and mosques.The victims of the bus attack in northern Baghdad were employees of the Shia Endowment - a body that oversees religious sites and mosques.
The gunmen first set off a car bomb before spraying the bus with bullets.The gunmen first set off a car bomb before spraying the bus with bullets.
The car blasts in the south-west of the city happened at about 0945 local time (0745 GMT) in a mixed Sunni and Shia area, police said.The car blasts in the south-west of the city happened at about 0945 local time (0745 GMT) in a mixed Sunni and Shia area, police said.
Most of the victims were people queuing for petrol.Most of the victims were people queuing for petrol.
Another car bomb exploded in Baghdad's Shia neighbourhood of Amil, killing two people, while another two where killed in a mortar attack on a Baghdad market.Another car bomb exploded in Baghdad's Shia neighbourhood of Amil, killing two people, while another two where killed in a mortar attack on a Baghdad market.
A roadside bomb targeted an Iraqi army convoy in the largely Sunni Yarmouk district, killing two troops and injuring four.A roadside bomb targeted an Iraqi army convoy in the largely Sunni Yarmouk district, killing two troops and injuring four.