Twenty Armed Groups in Dialogue with Government

The minister of state minister in charge of the national dialogue, Akram al-Hakim, has said that more than 20 armed groups have entered into a dialogue with the government since prime minister’s reconciliation plan was announced. He did not name the groups, but said some have contacted the president direct, others have made contact through the mediation of certain Arab states, while others still have contacted members of parliament. Hakim said some Arab states have good relations with the groups involved in violence in Iraq, and they have advised them to take advantage of the initiative and join the political process, otherwise they will stop supporting them.