Washington – Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki appealed to Congress on Wednesday to press the war in Iraq with money and troops, portraying his country as crucial to the U.S. as a front line in the war on terror and comparing violence there to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
Addressing a joint meeting of Congress, al-Maliki said, “Do not imagine that this problem is solely an Iraqi problem, because the terrorist front represents a threat to all free countries and free people of the world.”
Lawmakers in the House chamber gave him a warm welcome, but a number of Democrats stayed away, upset by al-Maliki’s stance on another Mideast crisis: He has refused to criticize Hezbollah for its attacks on Israel.
Despite tough rhetoric against terrorism in the Middle East, al-Maliki did not mention the combat between Israel and Hezbollah guerrillas over the past two weeks.
The speech by al-Maliki, who became prime minister two months ago, capped a two-day visit to Washington that included personal talks Tuesday with President Bush at the White House.
His address came as sectarian violence in Iraq is on the rise, threatening hopes by the Bush administration that some U.S. troops might come home soon.
During his address, al-Maliki appealed for more aid from the United States and other nations and sought to solidify Congress’ commitment to rebuilding Iraq. In earlier meetings at the White House, the Iraqi leader asked for more military equipment and recommended increasing U.S. and Iraqi forces patrolling Baghdad neighborhoods.
Congress has approved nearly $300 billion to secure and rebuild Iraq more than three years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein. Some 127,000 U.S. troops remain in the region.
Without identifying exact amounts, al-Maliki lamented money that wound up “in the hands of security contractors and foreign companies that operate with enormous profit margins,” rather than in the hands of needy Iraqis.
