John Burns: “There's a major problem ahead. The renegotiation of the constitution will go to some very, very divisive issues.”

The Americans see in this an opportunity to try and draw those Baathist insurgent groups into the political process.

The idea that you have a political leader, the prime minister, right involved in the operational chain of command, picking targets, picking who you go after and who you don't go after.

I think it's symbolically essential and in fact, practically essential as well. And this rebellion has been about one thing, and that is getting rid of Moammar Gadhafi.

I think the pressure that has been brought to bear on Mr. Maliki has been very considerable. And I think he was bound to make some movement in this direction.