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Talabani hopeful on US-Iran talks

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has welcomed the prospect of talks between the US and Iran over Iraq. He rejected comments that civil war is already raging in Iraq, but said it had come close after the destruction of a Shia shrine in Samarra last month. He also told the BBC he is optimistic a new government can be formed within two weeks – or four at the most. He said all parties had reached agreement on many points which would also diminish the threat of civil war. Full Story