Shebab Al Iraq Newspaper carried an editorial Wednesday with the headline: "The National Reconciliation guarantees security achievements in Iraq."

It said the national reconciliation conference that began Tuesday was important because it represents "determination to continue the national reconciliation project initiated by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki."

It said, "Al-Maliki insists on achieving the national reconciliation in spite of the obstacles being confronted, proof of the need for reconciliation."

It said consistency of efforts to achieve this important step gives people on the ground in Iraq hope.

U.S. forces released 266 Iraqi "detainees" as an attempt to facilitate national reconciliation; releasing prisoners is one of the main demands from Sunni politicians. About 9,000 Iraqi prisoners have been released since January 2008.