Iraqi PM calls regional meeting for March 10

By Claudia Parsons

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki invited neighboring countries and world powers on Wednesday to a March 10 meeting in Baghdad, saying he hoped it would help bring reconciliation and support for his government.

The conference could open the way for the United States to talk to Syria and Iran, which Washington says are fuelling violence in Iraq. Both countries deny the accusations.

The United States has said it will take part in the meeting. The official Syrian news agency SANA confirmed Syria would attend, while Iran said it was considering the invitation. France welcomed the conference and said it would participate.

The White House said agreeing to the conference did not amount to a change in policy toward Iran and Syria.

Washington brands both countries sponsors of terrorism and says Iranian elements have provided sophisticated roadside bombs used in Iraq. It accuses Syria of fanning strife in Iraq by failing to control its border.

"This is not a crack in the wall. It is another example of the United States working diplomatically," White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters. "We have not rejected this at all. We have from the start supported a regional meeting."

But Washington has spurned suggestions, including in the December report of a high-level Iraq Study Group, that it should reaching out to Iran and Syria to try to stabilize Iraq.

Maliki's office said he had sent formal invitations to the March 10 meeting to neighboring countries, Egypt and the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -- the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France -- as well as the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.