Negroponte Meets Iraqi Leaders In Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (right) and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte (left) (epa) June 12, 2007 -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, a former ambassador to Iraq, was in Baghdad today for talks with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

A statement for al-Maliki's office said the prime minister told Negroponte that his government is determined to press ahead with draft legislation on sharing oil revenues and on allowing former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath party to return to government jobs and the military. Approval of the legislation is seen as a step toward national reconciliation.

Al-Maliki's office also said he told Negroponte that interference from other countries in the region is hindering the political process in Iraq.

(AP)