Maliki presents reconciliation plan for Iraq

BAGHDAD, June 25 (Reuters) Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki today presented a national reconciliation plan to parliament which included the offer of an amnesty to prisoners in a bid to ease a Sunni insurgency and tackle sectarian violence.

''There will be an amnesty for those who did not take part in criminal and terrorist acts and war crimes and crimes against humanity. Those who have no proof of a crime against them should be released immediately,'' said Maliki, who took office on May 20.

But the Shi'ite Islamist did not offer any bold initiatives or concrete plans on tackling the insurgency or easing sectarian violence tearing the country apart.

Maliki said he would deal with the sensitive issue of powerful militias seen as one of the most destabilising forces in the country.

But he did not give any details on how he would take the militias, which have ties to government parties, off the streets.

Maliki promised a review of the policy of purging former members of Saddam Hussein's government from state institutions.

REUTERS SY HT1442