Iraqi government seeks neighbors´ help to end rampant violence

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-06-2006 09:03

Violence rages on in Iraq. On Tuesday, three car bombs exploded in Baghdad, killing at least 15 Iraqis and wounding 25 others. Meanwhile, the Iraqi government says it will seek help from neighboring countries to end the rampant violence.

Local police said the explosions occurred while people were queuing for petrol at a filling station. It occurred in Biyaa, a mixed Sunni Arab and Shiite area of the capital. The attack was the latest in a number of multiple car bomb attacks in Baghdad. Among them, a bombing two weeks ago that left more than 200 people dead.

As the violence rages on, US forces outlined an accelerated time-table for the transfer of power from US to Iraqi forces.

US military spokesman, Wiliam Caldwell said, "We would expect to see the entire country having reached provincial Iraqi control by early fall of next year. We should see the complete transfer of command and control of all Iraqi army divisions by late spring, early summer."

US President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed to the transfer last week, during a meeting in Jordan.

Meanwhile, Maliki says he hopes to eventually set up of a regional conference in an attempt to end the rampant violence in his country. "After the political climate has cleared, we will call for the convening of a regional conference. Those countries that are keen on the stability and security of Iraq, will participate." He said.

On Tuesday, Iraq's Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari was in Cairo. He was discussing the burgeoning crisis in his country with foreign ministers from ten Arab countries.

Later, Zebari said a reconciliation meeting would be held in Baghdad between all opposing groups and factions in the government. This, in a bid to discuss ways to stop the bloodshed in Iraq.

He also talked of reopening diplomatic ties with Syria, "We will raise the Iraqi flags in Damascus. And they will raise the Syrian flags in Baghdad for re-establishing all diplomatic relations."

The Foreign Minister says Iraq plans to send a delegation to Damascus. Their aim is to start new and direct conversations with the Syrian government, to pursue bilateral co-operation.

Editor:Du Xiaodan