Iraqi Prime Minister In Cairo
An upcoming conference on Iraq is on al-Maliki's agenda (file photo) (epa)
After his arrival, al-Maliki met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.
Al-Maliki said during his visit that the violence in Iraq is not the result of a sectarian conflict but due to the actions of Al-Qaeda and its allies.
He also said violence in Baghdad is largely under control, thanks to a new security plan. He added that insurgents are resorting to car bombs because they do not dare confront security forces.
The visit comes 10 days before an international conference on Iraq at the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik. The conference was a scheduled topic at today's meetings.
(AFP, AP)