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WASHINGTON, July 26, 2006 – Iraq is the front line in the war on terror and ultimately will serve as a "graveyard for terrorism," Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki told a joint session of Congress here today. Maliki repeatedly thanked the lawmakers for the United States' steadfast support for his country and assured them that Iraq will remain a solid ally in the terror war. "Iraq will never forget those who stood with her ... and who continue to stand with her in times of need," he said. The prime minister compared the losses Iraq faces at the hands of...

WASHINGTON -- New York lawmakers led a boycott Wednesday of the Iraqi prime minister's speech to Congress, furious that he still has not condemned Hezbollah's actions against Israel. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton did attend the speech, but her hopes to hear him take such a stand were dashed.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all. Please be seated. Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to the White House. I just had a very constructive meeting with the leader of a government that has been chosen by the Iraqi people in free and fair elections. I appreciate your vision for a free Iraq, and I appreciate you briefing me on a strategy to reduce violence and to rebuild your country. You have a strong partner in the United States of America, and I'm honored to stand here with you, Mr. Prime Minister. It's a remarkable and historical moment, as far as I'm concerned,...

PRIME MIN. AL-MALIKI: (Extended Applause.) In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Your Excellency the speaker of the House, Mr. Vice President, honorable ladies and gentlemen, members of Congress, it is with great pleasure that I am able to take this opportunity to be the first democratically and constitutionally elected prime minister of Iraq to address you, the elected representatives of the American people. And I thank you for affording me this unique chance to speak at this respected assembly. Let me begin by thanking the American people, through you, on behalf of the Iraqi people,...

WASHINGTON - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki insisted Wednesday that Iraq is a front line in the war on terrorism and said those behind the rampant violence in Iraq are perverting the Islamic faith. "I know some of you question whether Iraq is part of the war on terror," al-Maliki told a joint meeting of Congress, where some lawmakers have been critical of the new Iraqi leader's position on the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants. "Let me be very clear," al-Maliki said. "This is a battle between true Islam, for which a person's liberty and rights constitute essential...

Iraq Prime Minister Maliki to Address US Congress any moment. Post your comments here.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Rep. Rahm Emanuel are leading a drive to pressure House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) to cancel Wednesday's address to Congress by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki because he condemned Israeli attacks on Lebanon -- putting him at odds with U.S. policy. Emanuel and Schakowsky, both Illinois Democrats with party leadership positions, were circulating a letter Monday among colleagues stating "with mounting evidence that the Iraqi leadership's goals are not in the best interests of the United States -- nor the Middle East -- Prime Minister Maliki's address is inappropriate. "We are unaware of any prior...

Today, President Bush welcomed Iraqi Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki in the Oval Office at the White House, and together they held a joint press availability in the East Room, speaking of a plan to increase the military presence and quell the violence in Baghdad.Later today, the President met with Minni Arcua Minnawi, the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) leader in the Oval Office to discuss the Darfur region in western Sudan.Enjoy your trip to Sanity Island on the Daily Dose!

Another thorny subject is amnesty for Iraqi insurgents, an idea that Mr. Maliki has made the centerpiece of his political program. He has to balance demands by some Iraqi leaders to give amnesty to insurgents who have attacked American troops, with fervent opposition from American politicians to any such policy. "I personally think whoever kills an American soldier in defense of his country would have a statue built for him in that country," the speaker of Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a conservative Sunni Arab, said at a news conference on Saturday. "The parties that we cannot conciliate with are those who...

President Bush & Prime Minister Maliki press conference around 11:30ET.

To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor Contact: Ron Bonjean or Lisa C. Miller, 202-225-2800, both for House Speaker Dennis Hastert News Advisory: WHAT: Iraq Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. WHEN: Wednesday, July 26th 2006 at 11 a.m. EDTWHERE: U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Capitol http://www.usnewswire.com/ -0- /© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/