US, Iraqi officials woo Sunni fighters

[ECH1969]

American and Iraqi officials have begun bartering prisoners, aid and key positions in the army and police for the allegiance of Sunni insurgents in an effort to lure them away from foreign al-Qaida fighters in Iraq's most restive province.

The latest attempt to capitalize on recent clashes between insurgents and foreign fighters brought together eight major tribal sheiks from Al Anbar province, top US military officer in Iraq General George Casey, Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and other high-ranking members of Iraq's security and intelligence agencies.

It took place as the nation's divided ethnic and religious groups were jockeying for positions in a Shiite-dominated government.

"We are engaged with leaders, including tribal leaders and others, to encourage them to suspend their military operations with the aim of ending the insurgency and working together with us against the terrorists," said US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad.

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