BAGHDAD — Baghdad’s forces struggled Thursday to break a military stalemate with Sunni militants, as US officials reached out to key leaders to push for an end to political chaos in Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has offered an amnesty aimed at undercutting support for the militants who have overrun large areas of Iraq, after the new parliament’s first session ended in farce, with MPs walking out instead of working on government formation. With calls for politicians to come together unsuccessful, Washington contacted Iraqi and regional players individually. Secretary of State John Kerry meanwhile phoned Kurdish leader Massud Barzani and stressed the important role the Kurds could play in a new unity government in Baghdad, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said. – AFP