Al-Maliki's office quotesObama as saying he is "supportive and committed to preserving the gains achieved by the Iraqi government" under al-Maliki's leadership, and that he admires al-Maliki's courage.
The New Republic interview, carried in the magazine's 11 February issue, quotes Mr Obama as saying he has great respect for US hunting traditions, while advising gun-control advocates to be better listeners in the firearms debate.