Bush urges Iraq's Maliki to move on reconciliation

CRAWFORD, Texas, May 21 (Reuters) President George W Bush called Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today and urged him to proceed with political reconciliation among warring groups there, the White House said.

Maliki has been under fire from US lawmakers for not moving quickly enough to gain approval for an oil revenue-sharing law and other measures aimed at a political reconciliation in Iraq.

Bush gave renewed support to Maliki in the phone call marking his first anniversary as prime minister.

''The president reaffirmed his confidence in the prime minister and noted the courage he has shown during a challenging and difficult year,'' White House spokesman Tony Fratto said.

Maliki stressed his commitment to reconciliation and gave an update on reconciliation initiatives, which are aimed at drawing Sunni Arabs away from the insurgency and into the political process alongside majority Shi'ites and Kurds.

''The two leaders discussed the importance of political progress in Iraq, and the need to move forward with key reconciliation initiatives to secure Iraq's democratic gains,'' Fratto said.

The two leaders also discussed the regional situation and ''the need for all of Iraq's neighbors to play a constructive role in helping Iraq's democracy succeed,'' the spokesman added.

Washington accuses Iran of stirring up trouble in Iraq and has been seeking support for the Iraqi government from Iraq's neighbors.

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