Protesters await Iraq's prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki as he prepares to address the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, DC.
The Iraqi Prime Minister is in Washington seeking military supplies.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NURI AL-MALIKI SAYING:
"We don't tell the world to stand by us and support us, rather, we have a right to ask of the world, because we are part of them. And, because if what happens in Iraq is not dealt with, it will expand, and what happens in Syria, if not dealt with, will also expand, and what happens in any country where the virus of terrorism lives, this virus will spread."
A surge of violence in Iraq has reversed a decline in sectarian bloodshed that peaked in 2006-2007.
On Thursday alone, bomb attacks across the country killed at least 16 people.
Nevertheless, Maliki says Iraq's biggest accomplishment has been uniting its people.
(SOUNDBITE)(Arabic) IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NURI AL-MALIKI SAYING:
"The
