Maliki, U.S. diplomat mull bilateral ties

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki received on Wednesday Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns and discussed with him ways to boost bilateral relations, according to an official statement. “The meeting tackled bilateral relations and the importance of activating the strategic framework agreement signed by the two countries,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “Al-Maliki underlined his keenness to include all winning blocs in the new government, voicing hope over solving the current crisis in the coming days,” the statement added. For his part, Burns reiterated his country’s support to the political process and its keenness to develop relations with Iraq in various domains. SH (P)/SR 1