This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6958388.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Iraq PM hits back at US criticism Iraq PM hits back at US criticism
(10 minutes later)
Iraq's PM Nouri Maliki has rejected US criticism of his administration, saying "no-one has the right to place timetables" on its performance.Iraq's PM Nouri Maliki has rejected US criticism of his administration, saying "no-one has the right to place timetables" on its performance.
Mr Maliki blamed the US presidential election campaign for many of the "discourteous" comments.Mr Maliki blamed the US presidential election campaign for many of the "discourteous" comments.
Speaking at the end of a visit to Syria he said Iraq would pay no attention and could "find friends elsewhere".Speaking at the end of a visit to Syria he said Iraq would pay no attention and could "find friends elsewhere".
On Tuesday, US President George W Bush appeared to distance himself for the first time from Mr Maliki's leadership.On Tuesday, US President George W Bush appeared to distance himself for the first time from Mr Maliki's leadership.
Mr Bush said the people of Iraq had made a great step towards reconciliation when they passed what he called the most modern constitution in the Middle East, but added that now the government had to perform.Mr Bush said the people of Iraq had made a great step towards reconciliation when they passed what he called the most modern constitution in the Middle East, but added that now the government had to perform.
He said there was a certain level of frustration with Mr Maliki's leadership, but that it was up to Iraqis to decide his government's fate.He said there was a certain level of frustration with Mr Maliki's leadership, but that it was up to Iraqis to decide his government's fate.
Mr Bush's comments came just one day after the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin, urged the Iraqi parliament to evict Mr Maliki's government and replace it with one considered less sectarian.Mr Bush's comments came just one day after the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carl Levin, urged the Iraqi parliament to evict Mr Maliki's government and replace it with one considered less sectarian.
In other news in Iraq:In other news in Iraq:
  • Fourteen US soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter in which they were travelling crashed in northern Iraq. The military said a mechanical fault was to blame.
  • Fourteen US soldiers were killed when a Black Hawk helicopter in which they were travelling crashed in northern Iraq. The military said a mechanical fault was to blame.
  • At least 15 people were killed and 50 injured when a suicide bomber rammed a truck into a police station in the northern oil city of Baiji.
  • At least 15 people were killed and 50 injured when a suicide bomber rammed a truck into a police station in the northern oil city of Baiji.
  • The deputy US commander in Iraq told the BBC that the US has recruited 20,000 civilian volunteers to act as local police in sensitive areas of the country.
  • The deputy US commander in Iraq told the BBC that the US has recruited 20,000 civilian volunteers to act as local police in sensitive areas of the country.
    • 'Discourteous''Discourteous'
    Speaking after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari in Damascus, Mr Maliki rejected US criticism of his leadership and his administration's performance.Speaking after meeting Syrian Prime Minister Naji al-Otari in Damascus, Mr Maliki rejected US criticism of his leadership and his administration's performance.
    "No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people," he said."No one has the right to place timetables on the Iraq government. It was elected by its people," he said.
    We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6958116.stm">Iraq crash kills 14 US soldiers
    "Those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to Syria. We will pay no attention. We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere," he added."Those who make such statements are bothered by our visit to Syria. We will pay no attention. We care for our people and our constitution and can find friends elsewhere," he added.
    Later on Wednesday, President Bush is due to make a speech at the convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars, in which he is expected to say the battle in Iraq is as vital as earlier US campaigns and will once again call for perseverance.Later on Wednesday, President Bush is due to make a speech at the convention of Veterans of Foreign Wars, in which he is expected to say the battle in Iraq is as vital as earlier US campaigns and will once again call for perseverance.
    He will say that although there are many differences between the conflicts in Iraq and Vietnam, "they are all ideological struggles", according to excerpts released by the White House.He will say that although there are many differences between the conflicts in Iraq and Vietnam, "they are all ideological struggles", according to excerpts released by the White House.
    Officials said Mr Bush's speech was part of an attempt to provide "broader context" to the debate on Iraq ahead of a crucial administration assessment in mid-September of the current surge strategy of boosting US troop numbers in Iraq.Officials said Mr Bush's speech was part of an attempt to provide "broader context" to the debate on Iraq ahead of a crucial administration assessment in mid-September of the current surge strategy of boosting US troop numbers in Iraq.