Kerry Confronts Threat of Renewed War in Iraq
BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has arrived in Iraq, where a nation that saw the departure of American troops just three years ago now faces threat of a civil war.
Kerry's scheduled to meet today, June 23, 2014 with Iraq's Shiite prime minister and top Sunni and Kurdish leaders.
He wants to help foster a power-sharing agreement in Baghdad in hopes of diluting a vicious insurgency fueled by widespread Sunni anger at the Shiite-led national government.
U.S. officials say Kerry is not expected to urge Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to resign despite calls for a new Iraqi leader to heal sectarian wounds.
Instead, he will urge al-Maliki and other leaders to build a government more inclusive of minority Sunnis and Kurds.
Congressional leaders say Iraq is headed into civil war.
(Story by: Lara Jakes, The Associated Press with minor editing by WIBX)