Iraq's interim prime minister has held private meetings with Iraqi insurgents in an effort to persuade them to accept a government amnesty offer, according to a US newspaper report.
The Washington Postsaid Mr Iyad Allawi's meetings with representatives of militant groups from the restive cities of Falluja, Ramadi and Samarra began shortly after he took office in June but have yet to reach any agreements.
"I am talking to the people there and we are reaching out to them, to tribes to guys who were in military and security," the paper quoted Mr Allawi saying.
He said the most recent meeting was on Saturday when he held discussions with a delegation of senior representatives from Samarra.
Mr Allawi believes he has made some headway telling the newspaper that some representatives are "changing horses . . . and taking the amnesty seriously".
Earlier this month, Mr Allawi announced an amnesty for Iraqi insurgents who have committed "minor crimes" such as possession of weapons and explosives, or who had intended to take part in attacks.
"I am meeting them and telling them there is one thing to do: It is the respect of law, the rule of law. If you want to use violence, we will face you violently and suppress you - and we will bring you to justice," Mr Allawi said.
Mr Allawi did not identify the people with whom he met. He described them as not "the hard-core criminals" but as "people on the fringes who are disillusioned".