Iraq's Prime Minister Presses For Military Aid From Washington

Iraqi PM Maliki Struggles To Convince U.S. Lawmakers To Back More Aid -- Reuters

* "Situation is unraveling," McCain says
* Maliki seeking attack helicopters to fight militants
* To meet with Obama on Friday

WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers had tough criticism for Iraq's government after meeting with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday, saying they were open to meeting his request for military assistance only if Baghdad made significant changes.

Maliki is on his first visit to Washington in two years, urgently seeking U.S. Apache attack helicopters and other military supplies to fight militant groups such as al Qaeda in Iraq as sectarian violence spills over the border from Syria.

But U.S. officials, particularly members of Congress who take a harder line on many foreign policy issues than the Obama administration, have watched in dismay as Maliki has ignored Washington's calls to give Iraq's Sunni and Kurdish minorities a greater role in his Shi'ite-led government, and moved closer to Iran since U.S. troops left Iraq two years ago.

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More News On U.S. Security Concerns Over Iraq

Seeking US aid, Iraqi leader says fighting terror is a worldwide responsibility -- Washington Post/AP
Iraqi prime minister: U.S. aid needed to battle al Qaeda -- Washington Times
Iraqi PM Presses for US Military Aid -- Voice of America
US renews vow to help Iraq combat terror attacks -- AFP
F-16 jet delivery to Iraq on track for next fall: U.S. official -- Reuters
US Reiterates Commitment to Iraq, Hints Help on the Way -- Voice of America
On Maliki trip, U.S. seeks to address security fears while pushing for inclusive governance -- Washington Post
U.S. Warns of Downward Iraqi Spiral -- Wall Street Journal
Security Concerns Drown Out Maliki Critiques -- Paul D. Shinkman, US News and World Report
National security expert: Obama could lose Iraq -- FOX News