Today’s discussions between Iraq’s prime minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Sunni Arab vice president Tariq al-Hashemi regarded the possibilities of reintegrating Sunni political parties into the government.

The two leaders talked about "the future of the political process and the rebuilding of a national and unified government," as quoted by the Associated Press. They have had many opposing opinions over the years and have criticised each others’ actions on numerous ocassions.

The decision came following the militants’ new violent attacks at the Green Zone.

Heavy rounds were fired in Baghdad, targeting the Iraqi government and the U.S. Embassy. Residents were warned to stay indoors and an estimated number for casualties or damage has not yet been anounced.

According to an Iraqi military spokesman, during only last month’s events, 712 missiles were fired in the city of Baghdad and hundreds of people were killed. Despite the alarming news which keep showing up every day, U.S. officials claim that the violence in the area is at a much lower level than it was last year and also that it keeps dropping.

The problem regarding casualties has been acknowledged for quite some time now. Major-General Qasim Moussawi, the Iraqi government spokesman for security in the capital, explained for Reuters the regrettable reality people there have to live with: "The area of this (Sadr) city is around 25 square kilometres with an estimated population of 3 million. This means if a bullet is shot, it will hit a person," he said.