Bush administration laments latest escalation of violence in Iraq

(AP) The Bush administration lamented the newest flare up of civilian strife in Iraq, even as the White House looked with anticipation toward a meeting next week between President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

"We condemn such acts of senseless violence that are clearly aimed at undermining the Iraqi people's hopes for a peaceful and stable Iraq," White House spokesman Jeanie Mamo said as the first family spent Thanksgiving at their Catoctin Mountain retreat in Maryland.

"The United States is committed to helping the Iraqis," Mamo added.

National security adviser Stephen Hadley said earlier this week that Bush and al-Maliki will hold talks in Amman, Jordan Wednesday and Thursday.

In Iraq on Friday, followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr threatened to boycott parliament and the Cabinet if al-Maliki meets with Bush.

White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said there have been no changes to the president's schedule.

Bush has steadfastly stood behind the U.S. commitment to Iraq, even though growing public displeasure with the protracted war contributed significantly to Democrats retaking the House and Senate from the Republicans in the midterm elections.

A special high-level commission headed by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III is mulling recommendations for possible changes in U.S. policy in Iraq and is expected to make its findings known sometime next month.