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Talks face several hurdles

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published March 9, 2007

CAIRO, Egypt - The Iraqi government and Arab countries have broken into bitter squabbling just days before a Baghdad conference that the United States had hoped would finally unite them in efforts to stabilize the war-torn nation.

Sunni-led Arab governments plan to use the conference to press for a greater Sunni role in Iraq. That has rankled Iraq's Shiite leaders, who believe the Arabs are trying to reverse their newfound power after decades of being marginalized under Sunni minority rule.

The dispute reflects the complicated tensions that are likely to surface at the meeting Saturday, which gathers diplomats from Iraq's Arab neighbors, Iran, the United States, Turkey and the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council.

Arab states are likely to try to win U.S. support for their demands, increasing the pressure on Baghdad. Iran has vowed to support its Shiite allies in the Iraqi government - but is also concerned that the United States will press it on accusations that Tehran is supporting Shiite militants fueling Iraq's bloodshed.

The United States has struggled to rally its Arab allies behind the Shiite-led government since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and hopes this meeting will be a chance to show Arab support for Baghdad.

But Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan - which opposed the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Hussein - have remained deeply suspicious of the Shiites.

Fast Facts:

Main participants

Iraqi government: Dominated by Shiites and Kurds, the government wants greater support from Sunni-led Arab nations.

United States: The U.S. will likely press Iran on accusations that Tehran is backing Shiite militias.

Iran: Tehran is seeking recognition of its interests in Iraq, where many in the Shiite leadership are its allies. Arab nations: Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and the Arab League are pressing Iraq's Shiite leaders to give the Sunni minority a greater political role.

Syria: It also has faced U.S. accusations that it is fueling violence in Iraq.

[Last modified March 9, 2007, 02:27:14]