Rice expresses support for Iraqi gov´t

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-21-2008 09:02

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has given her support to the Iraqi government's efforts to isolate radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who has threatened an open war on security forces.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has given her support to the Iraqi government's efforts to isolate radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Arriving on an unannounced visit to Baghdad, Rice met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, President Jalal Talibani and other top officials. She praised the Iraqi government for its assaults on Sadr's Mehdi Army militia.

Rice's visit came a day after Sadr threatened an uprising against the government if it did not halt attacks on his followers which started late last month. The crackdown has been backed by all parties across Iraq's sectarian and ethnic divide, except Sadr's group.

Editor:Xiong Qu