United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday expressed concern over the situation in Iraq's western Anbar province.
Ban met on Monday with Speaker of the Iraqi parliament Usama al-Nujayfi for talks on developments in Iraq, particularly the situation in Anbar, along with the country's human rights record.
"The UN Secretary-General expressed his concern over the situation in Anbar and suicide bombings against civilians," said a statement released by al-Nujayfi's media office.
He called on Iraqi politicians "to stand together against terrorism and to reach an understanding on a real partnership in Iraq without exclusion".
The predominantly-Sunni Anbar province has been rocked by clashes early this month when Iraqi security forces dismantled a months-old anti-government sit-in.
The sit-in was staged by Sunni tribesmen to protest a perceived anti-Sunni discrimination by the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
The dispersal came two days after Sunni lawmaker Ahmed al-Alwani, a prominent al-Maliki opponent, was arrested during a raid on his home in the provincial capital Ramadi.
Al-Nujayfi, meanwhile, lauded UN efforts aimed at establishing peace around the world, including Iraq.
The parliament speaker accused some parties of seeking to hamper the democratic transformation in Iraq.
By Sawsan al-Qaiysi
englishnews@aa.com.tr
