LOC22:56
19:56 GMT
By Alaa Al-Huwaijel
BAGHDAD, Sept 17 (KUNA) -- Iraqi leaders held a series of meetings and
talks over the past 24 hours to help defuse the growing political and security
tension among Iraqis of different political and sectarian affiliations.
The first meeting was held between Iraq's President Jalal Talabani and
Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki Friday night in the Iraqi capital.
A government statement said the two leaders discussed the current
developments on the Iraqi arena and how to strengthen their alliance.
"The fruitful meeting tackled the recent developments on the Iraqi arena
and the region. The President and the Prime Minister also exchanged views
about how buttress their alliance and settle all pending issues through
dialogue," the statement reads.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Al-Maliki welcomed Iraq's Kurdistan
Region's government delegation's expected visit to Baghdad to discuss
unsettled issues with the Federal Government.
"Both leaders had confirmed necessity of the Kurdistan Region's delegation
visit to Baghdad to settle the political, economic and social issues."
On Saturday morning, Al-Maliki visited the Iraqi Council of
Representatives, or parliament, and held talks with Speaker Osama Al-Nujeifi
over the developments on Iraqi political arena particularly the dispute
between the Federal Government and Kurdistan Region's government and the
implementation of Erbil agreement as well as tension between Anbar and Karbala
provinces over this week massacre of Shiite pilgrims.
According to a press statement issued following the meeting, Al-Nujeifi and
Al-Maliki urged more efforts to deepen national partnership and build trust
among all Iraqis to help achieve stability and prosperity.
Al-Nujeifi called for all political forces to iron out their difference
through dialogue, adding that he will visit Irbil Monday to help resolve
dispute between the Federal Government and Kurdistan Region's government.
For his part, Al-Maliki welcomed Al-Nujeifi's initiative to visit Irbil,
but stressed that the final say in all disputed issues should be for the
constitution.
Meanwhile, President Talabani held talks with leader of the Al-Iraqiya bloc
Ayyad Allawi over the growing tension among different political forces
particularly over the implementation of Erbil agreement.
During the meeting, Talabani stressed the importance of dialogue in dealing
with political developments and acceptance of compromises to resolve any
differences.
For his part, Allawi hailed Talabani's efforts to find a correct way to
iron out differences between political partners and rivals. (end)
ahh.ibi
KUNA 172256 Sep 11NNNN