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Iraq 'should talk to militants' Iraq 'should talk to militants'
(about 8 hours later)
The vice-president of Iraq, Tareq al-Hashemi, has called for talks to be opened with the country's insurgents in an attempt to bring peace.The vice-president of Iraq, Tareq al-Hashemi, has called for talks to be opened with the country's insurgents in an attempt to bring peace.
"I do believe that there is no way but to talk to everybody" with the exception of al-Qaeda, he said."I do believe that there is no way but to talk to everybody" with the exception of al-Qaeda, he said.
He told the BBC that militants were "just part of the Iraqi communities".He told the BBC that militants were "just part of the Iraqi communities".
Mr Hashemi, a Sunni, has personal experience of Iraq's violence. Last year Shia militias murdered his sister and two of his brothers. Mr Hashemi, a Sunni, has personal experience of Iraq's violence. Last year his sister and two of his brothers were killed.
But he told the BBC that the only way for Iraq to make progress is for negotiations to take place.But he told the BBC that the only way for Iraq to make progress is for negotiations to take place.
Apart from al-Qaeda, which he said was "not very much willing in fact to talk to anybody", all parties "should be invited, should be called to sit down around the table to discuss their fears, their reservations".Apart from al-Qaeda, which he said was "not very much willing in fact to talk to anybody", all parties "should be invited, should be called to sit down around the table to discuss their fears, their reservations".
Sectarian governmentSectarian government
A multitude of different groups are reckoned to be behind the violence in Iraq, which claims the lives of hundreds of people every month.A multitude of different groups are reckoned to be behind the violence in Iraq, which claims the lives of hundreds of people every month.
They range from Sunni al-Qaeda sympathisers attacking foreign troops and bombing Shia marketplaces, to Shia militias killing Sunni civilians and forcing them to leave their homes.They range from Sunni al-Qaeda sympathisers attacking foreign troops and bombing Shia marketplaces, to Shia militias killing Sunni civilians and forcing them to leave their homes.
We're expecting a timetable - conditional withdrawal [of foreign troops] Tareq al-HashemiIraqi Vice-President Southern security struggle We're expecting a timetable - conditional withdrawal [of foreign troops] Tareq al-HashemiIraqi Vice-President Southern security struggle
Sunni politicians have said Iraq's national security forces are deeply infiltrated by, and provide a cover for, the Shia militias.Sunni politicians have said Iraq's national security forces are deeply infiltrated by, and provide a cover for, the Shia militias.
On Tuesday General Abdul Hussein al-Saffe, head of policing in Dhi Qhar province, told the BBC he could not trust a third of his officers because they were loyal to militias.On Tuesday General Abdul Hussein al-Saffe, head of policing in Dhi Qhar province, told the BBC he could not trust a third of his officers because they were loyal to militias.
The vice-president said the armed forces needed to be purged of such influence.The vice-president said the armed forces needed to be purged of such influence.
Mr Hashemi expressed unease that the sectarian nature of the conflict was reflected in the present government in Iraq.Mr Hashemi expressed unease that the sectarian nature of the conflict was reflected in the present government in Iraq.
"[It] might be that the Iraqis need to be convinced that to break up this polarisation we have to go for, first of all, election system reform and second, to go for early elections," he said."[It] might be that the Iraqis need to be convinced that to break up this polarisation we have to go for, first of all, election system reform and second, to go for early elections," he said.
Planned pull-outPlanned pull-out
Regarding the presence of the US-led coalition, he said many people were "annoyed" because foreign troops were "damaging the dignity of the Iraqis".Regarding the presence of the US-led coalition, he said many people were "annoyed" because foreign troops were "damaging the dignity of the Iraqis".
However he added that the forces should stay in Iraq "until further notice".However he added that the forces should stay in Iraq "until further notice".
"We're expecting a timetable, conditional withdrawal," he added."We're expecting a timetable, conditional withdrawal," he added.
"This could serve the national interests of Iraqis, as well as the national interests of Britain, as well as USA.""This could serve the national interests of Iraqis, as well as the national interests of Britain, as well as USA."
Insurgent and sectarian attacks have claimed tens of thousands of lives since 2003.Insurgent and sectarian attacks have claimed tens of thousands of lives since 2003.
In the latest violence, a series of car bombs and a mortar attack have killed at least 16 people in Baghdad, on the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion.In the latest violence, a series of car bombs and a mortar attack have killed at least 16 people in Baghdad, on the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion.