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Prime Minister of Iraq , Nouri al

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Maliki visited Al Anbar province for

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the first time since he was elected

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into office . Last May , Al Maliki

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visited the political and tribal

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leaders from around the province at

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camp Blue diamond just outside Ramadi

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to talk about reconciliation and

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reconstruction within the region . The

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march 13th visit of the Prime Minister

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is a major step towards bridging the

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gap between the Sunni and Shiite

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population of Iraq . This is his first

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visit to the Sunni heartlands in more

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than 20 years . An outward gesture of

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the Prime Minister's efforts to unite

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the people of Iraq . Al Maliki's

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surprise appearance in the capital of

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Al Anbar province is unprecedented and

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viewed as a symbolic step towards Sunni

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and Shiite unification in their

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opposition to Al Qaeda in Iraq . Before

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the Prime Minister's departure from

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Ramadi , he stood on the steps of the

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seventh Iraqi army headquarters

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building with the Governor of Al Anbar ,

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Mahmoun Sami rashid al Alwani , his

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provincial council and several promise

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chief In a historic moment , Sunni and

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Shiite leaders were photographed

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holding hands to show their common

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resolve against terrorism and their

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commitment to the future of Iraq

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Reporting for Multinational 4th West

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I'm Sergeant Tracy , Jackson