Department of State: U.S. tries to resolve on-going political tensions in Iraq

U.S. officials in Washington and Baghdad have been in constant contact with a wide range of senior Iraqi leaders to help resolve on-going political and sectarian tensions, the U.S. Department of State Regional Spokesperson Joshua Baker told Trend.

"These talks have focused on specific steps to avoid further violence and resolve key issues peacefully through constructive engagement and a political process," he said.

The Iraqi people need their political leaders to work through constitutional processes and institutions to find concrete solutions to unresolved issues, Baker said.

"This is hard work that often requires leaving behind historical grievances, finding common ground between long standing adversaries and rising above personal disputes to improve the lives of all Iraqis," the State Department representative said.
We are urging all Iraqi leaders to reach a consensus on specific, constructive and implementable measures to address on-going issues and deprive violent extremists of any opportunity to use words or actions to incite ethnic-sectarian tension, Baker said.