On Monday, Iraq and its neighbors met at the Egyptian resort of Sharm El-Sheikh and drafted a declaration to be issued at the end of Tuesday's talks, which will also include the United Nations, European Union and Russia. The draft offers strong support for the Iraqi election, set for January 30th.
It also sets no timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops, but states that their mandate is not open-ended.
Meanwhile, in Iraq, a Red Crescent convoy of ambulances and supplies entered the heart of Fallujah Monday for the first time since a military offensive against insurgents in the city began November 8th.