Al-Maliki: Iraq is front line of war on terror

updated 4:25 p.m. ET July 26, 2006

WASHINGTON - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki insisted Wednesday that his country is a front line in the war on terrorism and said those behind the rampant violence there are perverting the Islamic faith.

“I know some of you question whether Iraq is part of the war on terror,” al-Maliki told a joint meeting of Congress, where some lawmakers have been critical of the new Iraqi leader’s position on the current conflict between Israel and Hezbollah militants.

“Let me be very clear,” said al-Maliki, speaking through a translator. “This is a battle between true Islam, for which a person’s liberty and rights constitute essential cornerstones, and terrorism, which wraps itself in a fake Islamic cloak.”

Some Democrats shunned the speech, while others later sharply criticized the prime minister for painting a “rosy” picture of Iraq, they said, and not condemning Hezbollah specifically.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said not naming Hezbollah as a terrorist organization “adds ambivalence to his comments.” Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla., who did not applaud the prime minister’s remarks, called al-Maliki’s speech “disingenuous” because it did not acknowledge the violence in Iraq.

Among those who did not attend the speech were Democrats Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Gary Ackerman of New York and Nita Lowey of New York.

Al-Maliki shook hands with several members on his way out of the chamber, including Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, who had sharply criticized the Iraqi leader on Tuesday for not condemning Hezbollah.

No Hezbollah mention
Despite tough rhetoric against terrorism in the Middle East, al-Maliki did not mention the Hezbollah conflict. Al-Maliki’s difference of opinion with his hosts over the two-week-old fighting had threatened to sour his visit.

NBC VIDEO Iraq denounces Hezbollah July 26: Iraqi has agreed to join the Arab League in denouncing Hezbollah. NBC’s Norah O’Donnell reports. MSNBC

The Bush administration and its ally Israel insist that Hezbollah, which they consider a terror group, must be disarmed and defeated in southern Lebanon. European and Arab allies want a quick cease-fire to stop mounting civilian deaths in Lebanon.

Al-Maliki heads Iraq’s first permanent democratic government, and the Bush administration has much riding on his success. Al-Maliki emerged as a compromise choice to head the multiethnic government two months ago, after agonizing delays sapped the momentum and enthusiasm generated by successful free elections.

Roughly 127,000 U.S. troops are in Iraq, but the administration is under increasing pressure from Democrats — and some Republicans — to bring a substantial number of them home by the end of this year.

‘Foundation for peace’
Congress has approved nearly $300 billion to try to secure and rebuild the country more than three years after a U.S.-led invasion toppled dictator Saddam Hussein.

Later, Bush and al-Maliki flew via helicopter to Fort Belvoir in the Virginia suburbs and ate lunch with military personnel. Troops dressed in light green camouflaged fatigues gave them a standing ovation as they walked into the Community Club. They waved to the crowd, shook a few hands and then Bush gave al-Maliki first dibs in the buffet line.

After lunch of breaded chicken, rice and vegetables, Bush rose to a podium set up in the room and spoke to the roughly 200 troops gathered. He acknowledged the recent death of a soldier from the base, Sgt. 1st Class Scott Smith of Punxsutawney, Pa.

“He helped save lives,” Bush said. “He helped lay that foundation for peace. And in honor of his memory and in the memory of others who have gone before him and in honor of the thousands of Iraqis who have died at the hands of terrorists, we will complete the mission. It’s in our interest, Mr. Prime Minister, that we succeed together.”

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