Iraqi PM: Rise above violence
20/03/2008 20:15  - (SA)  

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Baghdad - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said on Thursday that Iraq must rise above the violence and assert itself in international and cultural forums in a bid to achieve normalcy as the war enters its sixth year.

The Shi'ite leader made the comments while opening a cultural festival south of Baghdad on the fifth anniversary of the US-led invasion.

"Iraq cannot be anything but strong, unified and active in the surrounding region. It will not be isolated," al-Maliki said a speech broadcast on state television.

"As Iraq has triumphed over terrorism, it will triumph in the international arena."

The optimistic remarks were the latest in a series of appearances as the Prime Minister seeks to use a sharp decline in violence in the capital and surrounding areas to project a stable image and bolster his beleaguered government.

The comments came a day after Iraq's presidential council, under strong US pressure, signed off on a measure paving the way for provincial elections - a major step toward easing sectarian rifts.

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