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Iraq hosts key security meeting Iraq hosts key security meeting
(10 minutes later)
A key international conference is set to open in Baghdad aimed at winning regional support for efforts to stabilise the situation in Iraq.A key international conference is set to open in Baghdad aimed at winning regional support for efforts to stabilise the situation in Iraq.
It will be the first time in a number of years US officials have sat down with those from Iran and Syria, nations the US says are adding to Iraqi strife.It will be the first time in a number of years US officials have sat down with those from Iran and Syria, nations the US says are adding to Iraqi strife.
The key focus will be on how to reduce the violence stemming from the Sunni-Shia divide in Iraq.The key focus will be on how to reduce the violence stemming from the Sunni-Shia divide in Iraq.
A second, more senior conference of foreign ministers is planned for April.A second, more senior conference of foreign ministers is planned for April.
The others attending the conference are the remaining members of the permanent UN Security Council, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the other neighbours of Iraq.The others attending the conference are the remaining members of the permanent UN Security Council, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the other neighbours of Iraq.
Bush's messageBush's message
The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that for Iraq this is an important opportunity to bring together neighbours and other powers who have often seemed to be using the country as a proxy battlefield for their own struggles.The BBC's Jim Muir in Baghdad says that for Iraq this is an important opportunity to bring together neighbours and other powers who have often seemed to be using the country as a proxy battlefield for their own struggles.
The conference is proof that the situation in Baghdad is getting back to normal Nouri Maliki, Iraqi PMThe conference is proof that the situation in Baghdad is getting back to normal Nouri Maliki, Iraqi PM
In terms of the Sunni-Shia divide, Iran is a key supporter of the Shia majority in Iraq while Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states would like to see a better deal for Iraq's Sunni minority.In terms of the Sunni-Shia divide, Iran is a key supporter of the Shia majority in Iraq while Saudi Arabia and other Sunni Arab states would like to see a better deal for Iraq's Sunni minority.
But our correspondent says Iran and Saudi Arabia have been working closely together recently to help defuse similar conflicts in Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority and there are hopes that this spirit will give a fair wind to the conference. But our correspondent says Iran and Saudi Arabia have been working closely together recently to help defuse similar conflicts in Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority and there are hopes that this spirit will give impetus to the conference.
On his Latin American tour, US President George W Bush was spelling out a tough line ahead of the talks, saying the US message to Syria and Iran was unchanged.On his Latin American tour, US President George W Bush was spelling out a tough line ahead of the talks, saying the US message to Syria and Iran was unchanged.
He said: "We expect you to help this young democracy and we will defend ourselves and the people in Iraq from weapons being shipped."He said: "We expect you to help this young democracy and we will defend ourselves and the people in Iraq from weapons being shipped."
A key Shia leader in Iraq called on all those attending to work to "enhance the achievements made in Iraq in the last four years".A key Shia leader in Iraq called on all those attending to work to "enhance the achievements made in Iraq in the last four years".
Abdul Azziz al-Hakim told thousands of Shia pilgrims in the city of Karbala: "We call on the regional and international countries to support Iraq because we believe it will reflect positively on international and regional peace."Abdul Azziz al-Hakim told thousands of Shia pilgrims in the city of Karbala: "We call on the regional and international countries to support Iraq because we believe it will reflect positively on international and regional peace."
PM Maliki walked Baghdad's streets on Friday ahead of the summitPM Maliki walked Baghdad's streets on Friday ahead of the summit
The conference comes amid a new security drive by US and Iraqi forces.The conference comes amid a new security drive by US and Iraqi forces.
Mr Bush has ordered in more than 20,000 additional troops to try to quell the unrest.Mr Bush has ordered in more than 20,000 additional troops to try to quell the unrest.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki hosts the talks and on Friday chatted with people on the streets of Baghdad to try to show the new security drive was working.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki hosts the talks and on Friday chatted with people on the streets of Baghdad to try to show the new security drive was working.
He also visited a power station and said: "The conference is proof that the situation in Baghdad is getting back to normal and that the political process is strong and stable."He also visited a power station and said: "The conference is proof that the situation in Baghdad is getting back to normal and that the political process is strong and stable."
BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says much of the interest in the talks will centre on whether US and Iranian officials try to seek some common ground.BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says much of the interest in the talks will centre on whether US and Iranian officials try to seek some common ground.
US officials have made it clear that if approached directly by Iranian, or Syrian, representatives to talk about any Iraq-related matter they will not turn and walk away.US officials have made it clear that if approached directly by Iranian, or Syrian, representatives to talk about any Iraq-related matter they will not turn and walk away.
But our correspondent says expectations from such meetings should be limited.But our correspondent says expectations from such meetings should be limited.