US tries to exploit rift among Iraqi rebels

While talks had taken place previously, the discussions have acquired a greater significance since October as a rift has opened up between Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaeda, the paper said.

Violence has erupted between Iraqi insurgents and al-Qaeda in several predominantly Sunni cities, including Taji, Ysefiya, Qaim and Ramadi, the daily reported, citing a Western diplomat, an Iraqi political leader and insurgent leader as unnamed sources.

"In interviews, Iraqi insurgents say there is widespread hatred for al-Qaeda among ordinary Iraqis" because of bombings that have killed thousands of civilians, the paper wrote.

The talks were at an early stage but had the objective of engaging Iraqi rebels who want an end to the US military presence but who strongly reject the methods and goals of Abu Masab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq.

"If we could reach an understanding with each other, meaning the resistance, as they call it, and the coalition, then they will in turn take care of Zarqawi and the terrorists," the unnamed diplomat told the paper.

Tarik al-Hasimy, the leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party who was in regular contact with Iraqi insurgents, was quoted as saying he did not think the talks had made much progress. One of the sticking points was a demand by insurgents for a timetable for the withdrawal of US forces in Iraq, he told the newspaper.

The US government has acknowledged previously that it has pursued talks with some insurgents. Last June, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfled confirmed that Washington had arranged contacts for the Iraqi government with elements of the insurgency.