Iraqi leader tells Bush: Get Gen. Petraeus out

Relations between the top United States general in Iraq and Nouri al-Maliki, the country's prime minister, are so bad that the Iraqi leader made a direct appeal for his removal to President Bush. Although the call was rejected, aides to both men admit that Maliki and Gen. David Petraeus engage in frequent stand-up shouting matches, differing particularly over the US general's moves to arm Sunni tribesmen. One Iraqi source said Maliki used a video conference with Bush to call for the general's signature strategy to be scrapped. "He told Bush that if Petraeus continues, he would arm Shia militias," said the official. "Bush told Maliki to calm down." At another meeting with Gen. Petraeus, Maliki said: "I can't deal with you any more. I will ask for someone else to replace you." Gen. Petraeus admitted that the relationship was stormy, saying: "We have not pulled punches with each other." President Bush's support for Maliki is deeply controversial within the US government because of the Iraqi's ties to Shia militias responsible for some of the worst sectarian violence.