Iraq Leader Calls for Arab Support

Iraq's prime minister appealed for support from his Arab neighbors, urging them to open embassies and forgive Iraqi debts as his government tries to crack down on Shiite militias in a crucial power struggle. The appeal came as leaders of the biggest militia - the Mahdi Army of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, warned more violence would await. This even as they criticized the government for allegedly showing little interest in negotiating with them. The tension has been rising and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki flew to Kuwait for a meeting of Iraq's neighbors to discuss ways they can help Iraq's Shiite-led government as it confronts both Shiite militias and Sunni extremists including al-Qaida in Iraq. Al-Maliki said he will be looking for tangible support, including relief from Iraq's $67 billion foreign debt, most of it owed to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.