Iraqi PM defends government

Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has defended his government's record and urged neighbouring countries to work together to combat the "evil" destabilising the region.

Senior Democrats in the US have slammed Mr al-Maliki's performance, with some even calling for his replacement.

The Prime Minister said: "This government is working hard to develop the political situation. It has made many gains despite the huge destruction left by the former regime.

"We are at the beginning of the road, but at the same time, we say that what has been achieved is something promising."

The US commander in Iraq General David Petraeus is due to deliver a crucial progress report on Monday.

The assessment is expected to highlight a reduction in violence in Iraq but also note the country's failure to pass laws aimed at reconciling warring majority Shi'ites and Sunni Arabs.

The report could influence any decision George Bush takes on troop numbers amid demands from Democrats and some Republicans for US forces to start leaving Iraq.

Mr al-Maliki said all nations had a stake in making the region safer.

"Evil wants to strike this or that country, it will not stop at the border of one country," he said.

"For this, we have to stand together as a wall in the face of this evil."

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