Obama talks security, terror with Iraqi Sunni leader

White House says leaders also discussed integrating Sunni tribal militias into government forces fighting al-Qaeda

By AP 23 January 2014, 5:32 am

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File: Gunmen patrol during clashes with Iraqi security forces in Fallujah, 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of Baghdad, Iraq. (AP)

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama and Iraq’s parliamentary speaker have discussed formally integrating Sunni tribal militias into Iraqi government forces that are fighting al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Obama dropped in on a meeting that Vice President Joe Biden held Wednesday with Iraqi lawmakers, including Parliament Speaker Osama al-Nujaifi, a prominent Sunni leader.

The White House said the leaders discussed the need for security and political steps to fight terrorism. They also discussed formally integrating local and tribal forces that have been helping the Shiite-led government try to wrest back control of territory. Members of Iraq’s al-Qaeda branch have taken over parts of Ramadi and nearby Fallujah.

The meeting comes as Iraq’s government says it intends to create three new provinces in an apparent attempt to address Sunni grievances and other concerns.