Special report: Tension escalates in Iraq

    BAGHDAD, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki stressed on Saturday the importance of protecting the national reconciliation efforts as it aims to protect the country from terrorism.

    Addressing at the second national reconciliation conference, Maliki said that "We need unity based on reconciliation and the principle of dialogue far from extremism and violence."

    Maliki noted that reconciliation aims to protect national unity and the country from being destroyed by terrorism and to unify efforts to strengthen the country's economy.

    "Our goals are big and they require patience and perseverance," he said.

    "No one should be part of the national reconciliation plan unless they recognize each others, accept each other as partners and totally rejects any sectarian, ethnic or political differences," Maliki told the gathering.

    More than 1,500 figures, representing nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) and tribal leaders, attended the conference for national reconciliation and dialogue.

    Al-Maliki put forward a 24-point reconciliation plan in June that he hoped to bridge the religious, ethnic and political divisions feeding Iraq's violence.

    The plan, which includes an offer of amnesty to those insurgent members who are not involved in terrorist activities, and calls for disarming primarily Shiite sectarian militias, didn't stem violence in the country where almost daily car bombings and shootings have killed hundreds of Iraqis. Enditem