Bush to meet Iraqi PM in Jordan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6171536.stm

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US President George W Bush will travel to Jordan next week to discuss the situation in Iraq with its Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.

The meeting is part of a flurry of diplomatic initiatives to try to create more stability in Iraq.

Iraq's president has accepted an invitation to visit Iran this weekend and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallim has just visited Baghdad.

Mr Bush will fly to Jordan after attending a Nato summit in Europe.

Restored relations

White House spokesman Tony Snow said Mr Bush and Mr Maliki would continue consultations on how to improve security in Iraq.

Mr Snow's statement said discussions would focus on the process of handing over responsibility for security to the Iraqis and the role of the region in supporting Iraq.

The meetings come against a background of continuing sectarian violence in Iraq but also efforts to involve Syria and Iran more in Iraq's future.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani visits Tehran this weekend, while during Mr Muallim's visit to Baghdad, Iraq and Syria announced they were to restore diplomatic relations after a break of more than 20 years.

Mr Bush has come under more pressure to include Iran and Syria in Iraq diplomacy following heavy defeats for his Republicans in mid-term elections on 7 November.