Iraqi PM calls regional meeting

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki invited neighbouring countries and world powers yesterday to a March 10 meeting in Baghdad, saying he hoped it would help bring reconciliation and support for his government.

The conference could open the way for the US to talk to Syria and Iran, which Washington says are fuelling violence in Iraq. Both countries deny the accusations.

The US has said it will take part in the meeting. The official Syrian news agency Sana confirmed Syria would attend, while Iran said it was considering the invitation.

The White House said agreeing to the conference did not amount to a change in policy towards Iran and Syria.

Washington brands both countries sponsors of terrorism and says Iranian elements have provided sophisticated roadside bombs used in Iraq. It accuses Syria of fanning strife in Iraq by failing to control its border.

"This is not a crack in the wall. It is another example of the US working diplomatically," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters. "We have not rejected this at all. We have from the start supported a regional meeting."

But Washington has spurned suggestions, including in the December report of a high-level Iraq Study Group, that it should reaching out to Iran and Syria to try to stabilise Iraq.

Mr Maliki's office said he had sent formal invitations to the March 10 meeting to neighbouring countries, Egypt and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council - the US, Russia, China, Britain and France - as well as the Arab League and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference.

"We hope the meeting will bring political backing for the national unity government in providing security and stability that will help national reconciliation in Iraq," a statement said.

US President George W. Bush is sending 21,500 extra troops to Iraq, mostly to Baghdad, where Iraqi and US forces have stepped up security operations to try to halt sectarian violence that threatens to tear the country apart.