U.S. President George W. Bush is due to meet with one of Iraq's Shiite leaders Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim on Monday to continue his effort to a new approach to ending sectarian violence in Iraq, the White House said Friday.
Al-Hakim is leader of the United Iraqi Alliance - the largest bloc in Iraq's parliament. "President Bush looks forward to an exchange of views and a discussion of important issues facing Iraq today," National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
After his meeting with al-Hakim, Bush will also meet in January Iraq's Sunni leader, vice President of the country, Tariq al- Hashemi, said a senior U.S. official who asked not to be identified.
It was reported that al-Hakim has demanded the current Iraqi government headed by Prime Minister Nuri Maliki be dissolved and replaced with a new coalition with guarantees that ensure collective decision-making.
Bush had talks with Maliki over Iraq situation in Amman, Jordan on Thursday. He praised him as the "right guy" for the job.
Source: Xinhua