Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki today met with tribal leaders in the former "triangle of death," just south of Baghdad, where he gave them a vague warning of a "plot to ignite sectarian strife." Maliki also said that the government needs civilian help in the reconstruction of Iraq and maintaining security. The sheikhs promised to stand with the government in reaching the goal of a safe Iraq. Unsurprisingly, the premier neglected to mention his own role in stoking tensions.

Meanwhile, at least seven Iraqis were killed and 18 more were wounded in the latest attacks.

Two children were killed and a third one was wounded in Mandali, when a device they were playing with exploded.

A suicide bomber killed one person and wounded three others when he rode an explosives-laden motorcycle into a Ramadi coffee shop.

In Falluja, four people were wounded when bombs planted around a policeman’s home were detonated. A bomb targeting police wounded two civilians instead.

In Mosul, a civilian was shot dead. A roadside bomb wounded one person.

The body of a postal agent was found in Shahidan.

A bomb planted near a policeman’s home in Baquba exploded, wounding his wife and child.

Gunmen wounded two policemen in Shinaneh.

In Imam Weis, two soldiers were wounded during a blast.

A policeman was wounded during security operations in Riyadh.

Police forced a suicide bomber to detonate his explosives in Shirqat. No one else was injured.

Read more by Margaret Griffis

• Nine Killed As Iraqi President Demands End to Political Squabbles – May 26th, 2012
• Iraqi Political Coalitions Still Fighting over Maliki’s Right To Lead – May 25th, 2012
• Talabani Threatens To Resign over Political Tensions – May 24th, 2012
• Iraq Bus Bombing Kills Lebanese and Iranian Pilgrims – May 23rd, 2012
• 14 Iraqis Killed As National Alliance Is Asked To Select A Replacement PM – May 22nd, 2012