Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has met with the head the Iraqi National Alliance Ibrahim al-Jaafari. A statement issued by Jaafari's office said the two sides discussed during the meeting developments in the security situation in Iraq, and the readiness of the security forces to counter terrorism in order to save the lives of citizens in the country. The two sides, according to the statement, confirmed the need to strengthen the role of the National Alliance in the next phase, because of its effectiveness at the political level, and the importance of adhering to the Charter of the electoral competition.