Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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March 13, 2007

Iraqi PM Visits Insurgent Stronghold of Ramadi
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=169FA45:A6F02AD83191E16069B71346DCD88CC59574F7DCC14957C0 Nouri al-Maliki
met with tribal leaders, local government officials and commanders of
Iraqi and US security forces Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri
al-Maliki has made an unannounced visit to the western city of Ramadi,
a stronghold of Sunni Arab insurgents.







Iraq's al-Anbar province governor Maamoun Sami Rashid al-Alwani (L),
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (C) arrive in Ramadi 13 Mar 2007News
agency reports say Mr. Maliki met with tribal leaders, local
government officials and commanders of Iraqi and U.S. security forces
in Ramadi Tuesday.

The highly symbolic visit to the capital of the restive Al Anbar
province comes as U.S. and Iraqi forces step up a security crackdown
in Baghdad and try to end sectarian bloodshed in Iraq.

It was Mr. Maliki's first visit to Ramadi since taking office nearly
one year ago.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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