Sunnis boycott Iraq talks, slam government

BAGHDAD, Feb 23 (Reuters) Iraq's main Sunni Arab political group today boycotted a meeting called by the president to calm sectarian tensions and accused the Shi'ite-led government of failing to protect Sunni mosques from militants.

''The leadership of the Iraqi Accordance Front has sent its apologies to the president to say they will not attend today's meeting,'' senior Front official Iyad al-Samarrai told Reuters.

''The government neglected to provide security for our sites.'' REUTERS SHR RK1425