He is a secular Sunni born into one of the most influential tribes in Iraq.

Many secular Sunnis continue to serve in the Syrian armed forces, despite massive Sunni desertions.

Albuflasa's speech was noteworthy because he is a religiously conservative Sunni while the protesters were mostly Shia or secular Sunnis.

Mr. Hassani, a secular Sunni who has supported the Shiite leaders, expressed hope that the talks on Friday would produce the compromise that has eluded negotiators so far.

For Noor, a secular Sunni who is solidly middle class, the sectarian killing has broken squarely into his circle of friends.

The speech was noteworthy because Mohammed is a religiously conservative Sunni Muslim, whereas most of the protesters were Shia or secular Sunnis.

The most prominent party to be excluded was the secular, but predominantly Sunni, Independent Democrats Movement led by former exile Adnan Pachachi.

Only half the Shiites and Sunnis are fervent Islamists, while most of the Kurds are secular Sunnis.

Still, some secular Sunnis, like the former exile Adnan Pachachi, have been more welcoming of the American presence and say they intend to take part in the elections.

Adnan Pachachi, a former foreign minister, said that if secular Sunni and Shiite leaders bind together with the Kurds, they might, after the next election, constitute a majority of the Assembly.