A series of attacks have left at least 47 people dead across Iraq, including 10 Shi'ites carrying a coffin to the holy city of Najaf.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, speaking to the Kurdish regional parliament in northern Iraq Tuesday, appealed to the country's Shi'ite and Sunni Arabs to end the strife and "unite as brothers" in the fight against terrorism.
Meanwhile, Sunni political leaders said they will end their boycott of Iraq's parliament after a call for unity by a radical Shi'ite cleric. The announcement also follows a promise that a kidnapped Sunni legislator will soon be released.
In other developments, the trial of ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and seven co-defendants accused of crimes against humanity has been adjourned until July 24.
Chief judge Raouf Abdel-Rahman announced the adjournment Tuesday after lawyers for two defendants presented their closing arguments.
Saddam and several other defendants boycotted the session. If convicted , all of the accused could face the death penalty.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.