Defense Secretary Bob Gates, heaping praise on Nouri al-Maliki, said: “What is intriguing is that, because of the way the prime minister has taken on
“„A delegation of leaders from the Sadrist movement is scheduled to meet with Maliki in coming days to try to negotiate an end to the violence, but both sides have indicated they are far from a settlement. Maliki is demanding that Sadr disband the militia, a step seen as unlikely.