Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki confirmed on Wednesday that a number of armed groups had contacted him over reconciliation plan, Iraqi state television reported.

"Prime Minister Maliki confirmed that a number of armed groups had been reached as part of the national reconciliation efforts," the television said without giving further details.

Meanwhile, an Iraqi state-run newspaper said that 10 armed groups, which are not implicated in terror attacks, had welcomed in principle Maliki's initiative and expressed readiness to take part in political process.

Maliki presented a new national reconciliation plan to the Iraqi parliament on Sunday in a bid to curb sectarian violence and calm the Sunni-led insurgency.

Under the 24-point plan, Maliki extended olive branch to some insurgents by offering dialogue with them but al-Qaida-linked militants and loyalists of former president Saddam Hussein.

The plan also calls for amnesty for insurgents with no civilian blood on their hands, as well as disbanding Shiite militia.

Source: Xinhua