Biden assures Maliki al-Qaeda is common enemy

Vice President Joe Biden said that "Al-Qaeda still is the common enemy of Iraq and the United States and the whole world." Biden condemned, in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, on Saturday evening the recent wave of bloody violence that hit Iraq, expressing his condolences "on behalf of the American people for the victims of terrorist violence in Iraq." The two parties stressed the "need to strengthen bilateral cooperation in (the Strategic Framework Agreement) to support Iraq's efforts to prosecute those responsible for the recent attacks and bring them to justice.". Biden pointed out to the "recent improvements in the political atmosphere in Iraq and urged the continuation of communication with national and local leaders across the political spectrum." The two sides discussed, during the telephone conversation "the situation in Syria and the importance of working together to isolate the extremists of all parties in the conflict there." / End