Iraq President backs Iran, Syria involvement in peace process

Violence in Iraq could end "within months" if Iran and Syria joined efforts to stabilise the country, says Iraqi President Jalal Talabani. He told the BBC the move would "be the beginning of the end of terrorism".

The idea for the US to open talks with Iran and Syria over Iraq is said to be under consideration by a panel of experts examining US policy on Iraq.

The panel, led by a former US secretary of state, is also said to think that "staying the course" is untenable.

However, Mr Talabani said was not worried by reports that James Baker's panel may recommend an early - or phased - withdrawal of coalition troops from Iraq.

"I'm sure that no-one will decide to pull out quickly in Iraq," he told the BBC's Jim Muir.

Read the rest at BBC News

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