Rice Visits Iraq, Looks to Bolster PM Maliki

Condoleezza Rice paid an unannounced visit to Baghdad today to highlight recent political gains brought about by PM Nouri al-Maliki's government. While the Maliki-ordered assault on Basra last month exposed some weaknesses in the Iraqi army, it also brought different groups in Iraq together, she said. "This is, I think, an important time. You've seen a coalescing of a center in Iraqi politics," Rice said.

"There are those who questioned whether or not the prime minister was prepared to go after militias that were associated one way or another with political elements in his coalition," Rice said, "I think he's answering that question." Rice met with PM Maliki, as well as with David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, reports the AP. (More Iraq stories.)