Arab allies reluctant to support Iraq

With a change of leadership in Iraq unlikely, the Saudis and others thus have been quietly supporting Iraqi Sunni groups, including some US-backed tribes that have taken up arms against al-Qaeda.

The Arab goal is to bolster the position of Sunni political organizations as they maneuver for a bigger role.

But this has served to heighten friction with Iraqi Shiite parties, making compromise even more elusive.