Iraqi president says country being pushed towards civil war

President Jalal Talabani warned today that extremists are pushing Iraq towards civil war.

He spoke after a pair of bombs caused extensive damage to the golden dome of one of the country's most revered Shiite shrines in Samarra, triggering protests and reprisal attacks against Sunni mosques.

“We are facing a major conspiracy that is targeting Iraq’s unity,” Talabani said when he received a delegation from Salahuddin province, which includes Samarra.

“We should all stand hand in hand to prevent the danger of a civil war.”

The attack comes at a time when talks between the major Shiite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish parties about forming a new government have bogged down following December parliamentary elections.

Talabani, head of the influential Kurdish Coalition, said he will work toward the formation of a national unity government that “bring stability to Iraq.”

US and British leaders consider a unity government key to ending the deadly Sunni-led insurgency.