U.S. envoy to Iraq warns against sectarianism (Khalilzad)

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U.S. envoy to Iraq warns against sectarianism

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq must have an interior minister who rejects sectarianism, the U.S. ambassador said on Tuesday, in an apparent swipe at the current minister, a Shi'ite Islamist facing accusations of allowing mistreatment of Sunnis.

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad -- seen as a key mediator in the formation of Iraq's next government -- told a year-end news conference that Iraqis had to cooperate across ethnic and sectarian lines if their country was to succeed.

The choice of interior minister once a new government takes office following last week's parliamentary elections will be crucial, he said.

"You can't have someone who is regarded as sectarian as the minister of interior," Khalilzad told reporters.