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New push for Iraq reconciliation New push for Iraq reconciliation
(about 1 hour later)
Representatives from Iraq's different communities are holding talks to try to curb the bloodshed that has brought the country to the brink of civil war.Representatives from Iraq's different communities are holding talks to try to curb the bloodshed that has brought the country to the brink of civil war.
Iraqi leaders are meeting "for the common objective of stabilising Iraq and promoting the rule of law", Prime Minister Nouri Maliki reportedly said. The 300 delegates invited to attend include exiled members of former leader Saddam Hussein's Baath party.
Iraq's Shia and Sunni Arab and Kurdish politicians are attending the talks. Hardline Sunni insurgents and radical Shias are not taking part.
The White House said Mr Maliki vowed to improve security in a conversation by phone with President Bush beforehand. A BBC correspondent says Iraqis are desperate for the deadlock to be broken but there's little optimism this conference will do that.
Some exiled Sunni Arabs who were leading figures in ousted leader Saddam's Hussein's Baath party have also been invited to attend. Jim Muir in Baghdad says the need for the talks is burningly obvious, with neighbourhoods splitting along sectarian lines in a conflict that is killing about 100 Iraqis on average every day.
And some representatives of Iraq's majority Shia community, which was persecuted under Saddam Hussein's rule, have threatened to boycott the talks if Baathists attend. At the start of the conference, Mr Maliki said the meeting was open to those who did not have blood on their hands.
Opening the conference, Mr Maliki said the meeting was open to those who did not have blood on their hands. He said the new Iraqi and the government "is prepared to absorb those who have the desire to serve the nation", including members of the military and Baath party under Saddam Hussein's rule.
The talks have been delayed several times and were launched with little fanfare. Some exiled Sunni Arabs who were leading figures in the Baath party have been invited to attend but it is unclear if they have done so.
According to the BBC's Jim Muir, the need for the talks is burningly obvious, with neighbourhoods in Baghdad being divided along sectarian lines in a conflict that claims some 100 Iraqi lives every day. However, some representatives of Iraq's majority Shia community, which was persecuted under Saddam Hussein's rule, have threatened to boycott the talks if Baathists attend.
The discussion is likely to focus on the presence in Iraq of troops from the US and other countries, as well as the impact of Kurdish and Shia militia groups and Sunni insurgents.
Some 200 people are expected to attend the talks in Baghdad, an Iraqi government spokesman said.
Worsening violenceWorsening violence
According to a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, President Bush and Mr Maliki spoke for the 30 minutes by secure video link on the eve of the conference. The talks have been delayed several times and were launched with little fanfare.
Politicians from Iraq's Shia and Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties are the main participants.
Nearly 3,000 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since 2003Nearly 3,000 US soldiers have been killed in Iraq since 2003
Mr Maliki "talked about providing greater security, in particular in Baghdad by going after all sources of violence, including insurgents and militias," the spokesman said. The discussion is likely to focus on the presence in Iraq of troops from the US and other countries, as well as the impact of Kurdish and Shia militia groups and Sunni insurgents.
He said Mr Bush repeated his support for Mr Maliki and said he had been encouraged by recent meetings with Iraqi leaders.
Sunni insurgents have been blamed for bomb attacks targeting Shias and US forces.Sunni insurgents have been blamed for bomb attacks targeting Shias and US forces.
Shia militiamen suspected of links to the newly-formed armed forces have been accused of operating death squads.Shia militiamen suspected of links to the newly-formed armed forces have been accused of operating death squads.
Tens of thousands of people have died in worsening violence.Tens of thousands of people have died in worsening violence.
It is not clear how many serious opponents of the government are attending the conference, our correspondent says.
Past conferences held to curb the violence have had little effect. An Iraqi government official quoted by the Reuters news agency expressed doubt that these talks would be any different.Past conferences held to curb the violence have had little effect. An Iraqi government official quoted by the Reuters news agency expressed doubt that these talks would be any different.
"Let them talk. More talking will not harm anyone. But I doubt there would be results," the official said."Let them talk. More talking will not harm anyone. But I doubt there would be results," the official said.
Troop levels Worsening violence
President Bush is considering boosting troop levels in Iraq next year, a US administration official has said. The White House said Mr Maliki vowed to improve security in a conversation by video link with President Bush beforehand.
Up to 25,000 more troops could be deployed to try to help end the violence, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. According to a spokesman for the White House's National Security Council, President Bush and Mr Maliki spoke for the 30 minutes on the eve of the conference.
The comments come a day after prominent Republican John McCain called for up to 30,000 more troops to be sent to Iraq. Mr Maliki "talked about providing greater security, in particular in Baghdad by going after all sources of violence, including insurgents and militias," the spokesman said.
Mr Bush had been due to announce a new strategy on Iraq next week, but has delayed his speech until January. He said Mr Bush repeated his support for Mr Maliki and said he had been encouraged by recent meetings with Iraqi leaders.
He is holding a flurry of meetings with top US and Iraqi officials and experts on how to change his policy.