nathan1606

thanks sunshinelvr ............u have such great news ............

that bbq is starting to sound really good ....

Deal may be forthcoming, say Kurdish MPs Monday, August 9th 2010 4:53 PM Erbil, Aug. 9 (AKnews) - Iraqi political blocs may reach an agreement on forming the future government and distribute the state’s top three positions next week, said a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament. Speaking to AKnews on Monday, Mohsen Saadoun said, “Because of international and domestic pressures and the deterioration of the security situation,” the country’s factions are expected to reach agreements next week. Candidates for the office of the prime minister, president and parliament speaker have not been determined yet. Despite two parliament sessions, Iraqi lawmakers were unable to elect a parliament speaker and his two deputies. Saadoun said the recent visits by the outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Ayad Allawi, the head of the al-Iraqiya bloc, to Kurdistan will have significant impact on bringing all sides closer together. "If Iraqi political groups do not form a government next week, “the Iraqi parliament then needs to decide on the results of the elections because if the crisis is to continue then the political and security situations will deteriorate." Dara Mohammed, another Kurdish parliamentarian, said, “It is expected the negotiations between various factions will succeed, leading to an agreement on the distribution of the top three posts.” Five months after March parliamentary elections, Iraqi political groups have not been able to from a government leaving the country in a state of crisis. The major rivalry is between Maliki’s State of Law Coalition (SLC), with 89 seats in the parliament, and al-Iraqiya that has 91 deputies in the 325-member parliament. Each of the two parties claims it has the right to lead the future cabinet. Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ruled in late March that the bloc that has the highest number of seats when the parliament convenes will be entitled to form a government and not the party that won the highest number of seats in the election. The court’s decision meant al-Iraqiya was not automatically allowed to form the next government. This decision paved the way for larger coalitions and political maneuvering by the different blocs. While Maliki’s chances for premiership were significantly reduced after his Shia allies in the Iraqi National Alliance rejected his candidacy, his position was boosted yesterday as the Kurdish President Massoud Barzani said the Kurds did not have any objections against Maliki to retain office for a second term. http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/172143

August 9, 2010 The sources of different masses, suggesting an imminent breakthrough to the political crisis Maliki declares adherence to the rule of law his candidacy for prime minister .. And an expected visit to Arbil wise Biden stresses and support democracy in Iraq بغداد ـ الصباح Baghdad morning Sources close to the negotiations, the political blocs to reach an agreement to nominate three presidencies as a prelude to form a government during a period of two weeks. This information comes in sync with positive talks took place in Arbil yesterday between the Prime Minister, the leader of a coalition of law Nuri al-Maliki and Kurdish President Masoud Barzani. While the source expected in the national coalition that the President of the Supreme Council of the Islamic al-Hakim to visit the Kurdistan region soon, said Vice President Joseph Biden's commitment to support the political process in Iraq. In the meantime, The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, headed by President Jalal Talabani said the Kurdish delegation negotiator will intensify talks with the political blocs in the coming days. The new al-Maliki during a joint news conference after a meeting with Barzani in Arbil, the line from yesterday, stuck to its list of his candidacy for prime minister, stressing that the delay in forming a government will not affect the security situation in the country. Maliki said that "the correct construction of the next government is more important than the time factor despite the fact that this factor is also necessary and important," stressing: "Do not allow one to reject anyone not rejecting us, but by constitutional restraints." For his part, President of the Kurdistan Region: "We agree to abide by the constitution and not for the red lines in response to one of the prime minister and everyone has a right to do so, and that Maliki's visit to Kurdistan defended well to speed up the formation of a government of national partnership in Iraq." Barzani added that "Maliki's visit to Kurdistan were not for the formation of new coalitions, but came to strengthen the relations already existing between the Territory and the parties and its former ally, we wish to strengthen this convergence and relations." It is said that Barzani had received yesterday a telephone call from U.S. Vice President, where Joseph Biden said that his country was committed to the Iraqi political process, calling for the speedy formation of the government. The center of this picture, Sources in the National Coalition to visit the President of the Supreme Islamic al-Hakim was the Kurdistan region soon to discuss the political developments and the process of forming a government. In Sulaymaniyah, expressed the political bureau of the National Union at a meeting held yesterday under the supervision of the Secretary-General of the Federation President Jalal Talabani, expressed concern with regard to differences and conflicts between the parliamentary blocs and delay the formation of the government. The meeting, according to the website the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, "the importance of continuing the delegation of coalition blocs Kurdistan in negotiations with other blocs on the bases of national and Kurdistan fixed", and indicated the need to intensify the PKK from its efforts and enhance its role, in order to pull the country out of the current crisis. In the framework of talks political blocs, it was revealed secretary general of the cabinet member of the coalition of the state of law Keywords told delegates "morning," Tariq al-Araji, talks are underway between the coalition and the Iraqi List on the State program of the ministry to come. In the meantime, Sources close to the negotiations to form a government, and several political blocs, the talks reached agreement on the politicians to name members of the three presidencies during the period of two weeks. The sources confirmed that the "morning" that the talks between the blocs will take a line upward in the coming days, indicating the presence of popular pressure and external to speed up the formation of the government. Meanwhile, he urged the commander of U.S. troops in Iraq Raymond Odierno, the political leaders to find solution to the political crisis before the withdrawal of his country's troops from combat in Iraq. Odierno said in a interview with ABC the U.S. yesterday, the ability of Iraqi forces to capture the ground, despite attempts terrorist groups to destabilize the security situation. !!! Alsabah http://articlesofinterest-kelley.blogspot.com/2010/08/imminent-breakthrough-to-political.html

i believe thats its just saying that ramadan starts this thursday in that iraqi code talk ...

previous article ~ The withdrawal of United States combat troops on August 31st falls during Ramadan ~ Iraq and the American Pullout: Separate We Must ... Monday, August 9, 2010 Sistani's office are expected Thursday, the first days of Ramadan Najaf - Al Sabah Office predicted the religious authority, Ali al-Sistani in Najaf to be next Thursday is the first day of the month of Ramadan. According to the agenda Prayer times for the month of Ramadan in which was issued by the office: "expect to see the new moon of the month of Ramadan on Wednesday evening, 29 / Shaban / 1431 H, 11 / August / 2010, up eight degrees and minutes. The portion of section Manar than for the largest country informing him of the disk (3.66%) and remains Crescent (39) minutes after sunset. "It was called the Sunni Endowment in a statement yesterday to watch the first new moon of Ramadan on Tuesday night the tenth of this August. http://articlesofinterest-kelley.blogspot.com/search?q=iraq

News and reports: Maliki: article 140 is the application Barzani: llkerd red lines on one of the Prime Union: Fuad Osman/head of Prime Minister Maliki law State Coalition on Sunday to Erbil, was Mr. Arbel, Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan region, Dr. Barham Ahmed Saleh, President of the territorial Government and the President of the Parliament of Kamal kerkuki Kurdistan. after his arrival, he met with President Maliki in Erbil, to discuss and debate current crisis affecting the country and the ongoing attempts to form a new Government and the Iraqi talks between blocks and barriers to form a Government. Following the meeting, the Al-Maliki and Barzani, a press conference, they can to the most important topics discussed during the meeting. At the beginning of the Conference, welcomed President Barzani with Maliki and his entourage, the main points discussed during the meeting saying that Maliki's visit to the Kurdistan region were also created some actors to form new coalitions, to strengthen existing relations between the region of Kurdistan, the former allies and we want to strengthen this convergence and relationships. The President of the region: we agree to be bound by the Constitution and not llkerd red lines on one of the premier, and everyone has a right to do so and Maliki's visit to Northern good motivation for Cabinet national partnership in Iraq. President Barzani speaking, u.s. Congressional delegation does not bear with agendas to pressure the Al-Kurd to renounce the Presidency, in an effort to expedite the formation of new Iraqi Government. Maliki confirmed the continuing meetings with the forces of law and Iraqi parties forming the next Government, saying that his visit to the Kurdistan region come in this framework, said: we take into consideration the demands of the Al-Kurd, especially with regard to article 140 of the Constitution since this article is on the application we are committed to the Constitution and items including this article. Asked about the current attempts to obstruct the general census in Kirkuk, Maliki said: we acknowledge a localisation in Kirkuk and there may be others and tips you want to place obstacles in the census or the application of article 140, we're not with these trends. Asked about personal interests on public interests and the effect of delay's security situation, Maliki said: we lanamel for personal interests and the right to conduct negotiations and we will continue our quest to form the next Government, regarding the security situation, we set up our Court security devices and plans to restore security and stability in Iraq and delay forming Government will not affect the security and the fight against terrorism, we believe that the Government was not related to the security situation, and hopefully be no link between this process and the security situation and will fight terrorism, whatever. And the withdrawal of u.s. troops from Iraq, Maliki said that the sides agreed to make a withdrawal. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said his visit to the city of Erbil, Kurdistan, Sunday, “ came in response to the requirements of the current phase of an agreement to form the next Government in the country ”. The “ this visit was a response to necessitated government formation stage, stage and great interest and serious challenges should go beyond ”. With Al-Maliki that the “ agreed roadmap to work with other parties to form the next Government, said that there are map “ how to form a consensus and understanding should move by both partners in the political process because we secure that partnership and allocation of responsibilities and powers ”. Added “ we will work together on all our political process of the blocks and other lists to agree on the map and the mechanism that make us more stability to face more challenges which we believe will come later, map-based partnership of all the political forces and leave the detail to the dialogues should mature through a dialogue participants and individually ”. Asked about the demands of the Al-Kurd, President Barzani, the Al-Kurd's demands in Iraq are legitimate walkrd wishing to form a Government of national partnership involving all components of the Iraqi people without marginalizing any party. http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=BVNav&from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alitthad.com%2Fpaper.php%3Fname%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D79629

A senior Iraqi politician visited Ankara on the weekend for talks and another key leader will arrive in the coming days amid protracted Iraqi efforts to form a new government in the war-torn country. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu met with Ali al-Dabbagh, the Iraqi government spokesman, on Saturday, and the two had extensive discussions on Iraqi political groups’ efforts regarding the formation of a government in Iraq, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Al-Dabbagh came to Ankara as special envoy of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and he conveyed a message from al-Maliki, the statement also said. Davutoğlu has had several talks with representatives from Iraqi political groups, most notably from the cross-sectarian al-Iraqiyya bloc of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, since the Iraqi parliamentary election in March. Public contact with al-Maliki’s Shiite-led State of Law coalition, on the other hand, has been rare so far. Last month, Davutoğlu met with Allawi and Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in surprise talks in Damascus, a move interpreted as an attempt to prevent al-Maliki from forming government. Allawi’s al-Iraqiyya bloc, where the Sunnis are also represented, won the March election by a small margin but al-Maliki’s State of Law has sought alliances with other groups to form the government despite the election results. Ankara calls for a broad-based government and sees Sunni representation in the Iraqi parliamentary politics as a key condition for stability in the troubled country as the United States is preparing for a withdrawal. In a further sign that its withdrawal is on track despite the political impasse and a recent increase in violence, the US handed over control of all combat duties to Iraqi security forces on Saturday. In addition to al-Dabbagh, Ankara is also hosting Iraqi politicians from another Shiite-led bloc, the Iraqi National Alliance, which was ranked the third biggest group in the election. A senior political figure within the Iraqi National Alliance, Humam Hamoudi, had talks in Ankara last week and former Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, also a senior representative of the Iraqi National Alliance, will meet with Davutoğlu on Aug. 10, the Foreign Ministry statement said. http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/news-218508-100-ankara-intensifies-iraq-govt-talks-as-us-pullout-looms.html

Allawi: Maliki Cabinet took again the confiscation of democracy 2010-08-08 At a time when our coalition said Deputy State law by Maliki on Sunday, breaking last visit to Erbil to basic agreements resolve's case, existing leader said that Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi Maliki Cabinet took again the confiscation of democracy . MP Coalition State law Khaled Al-Maliki the visit of Erbil is the culmination of dialogues in the context of State law walkrd's ", due to" come out of this visit to basic agreements between State Coalition Walkrd settled case law's ". "Al-Maliki visit to Erbil are part of further efforts to accelerate the formation of the Government," near the Al-Kurd Coalition State law is a normal being key partners in the political process. " Maliki's visit to the Kurdistan region of Iraq after two days of talks and outgoing President Jalal Talabani, who gave the consent implicit happen on peninsula attached to a second Al-Maliki said after the meeting there is no red line happen to run for another term. Brook Iraqi coalition leader Iyad Allawi, yesterday, that Maliki cabinet once again mean confiscation of democracy in the country, stating that his coalition “ ” to delay is not a reason to form because it is out of power, according to Iraqi space. In an interview he said that there was a lengthy “ is hidden with Al-Maliki during previous meetings that the “ ”, but not talking about ”. The dialogues between Coalition and Iraqi law State and that a “ conversation (Friday) in the House of Dr. Rafi Al-Issawi, despite a national coalition ”. He said that Iraqi “ a foundations of truth that should underlie an Iraq raised head ”. The consortium that Iraq “ doesn't want a well established rules of the game of democracy ”. The selection of Prime “ as is ” democratic system, “ ” electoral benefit recognition. He rose to the real logic to build State “ ” rejects disagreement, noting that won “ should form a Government ”. The Iraqi coalition is not reason to delay the “ Government because it is out of power ”, warning there solid regional “ targeting Iraqi Government right ”. http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=BVNav&from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsabah.com%2Ftemplates%2Farticle.tpl%3FIdLanguage%3D17%26NrIssue%3D1783%26NrSection%3D21%26NrArticle%3D42662

Zebari: Iraq is committed to international resolutions including on Kuwait 2010-08-08 Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, the Iraqi Constitution was approved by resolutions including those relating to the situation between Kuwait and Iraq, adding that any remarks and positions outside the subject is incorrect. He explained in an interview with kabas issued on Sunday, the “ Iraq under new Constitution is committed to international decisions, including on the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, and any statements and positions outside the subject is incorrect and inaccurate “ ”, adding that the Iraqi Government's position is clear and in more than one position ”. He added that the “ basic theme between Iraq and Kuwait border or not maintenance tags or other debt is resolution 833, originally to deal with all issues relating to the situation between Iraq and Kuwait, including land and sea borders “ ”, specifying that you want to emphasize that the decision of the Iraqi Government to be formed stresses the international resolutions, otherwise that details and molecular ”. Iraq is subject to the terms of Chapter VII after Security Council resolution No. 678 (1990) following the entry of Kuwait in August of the same year, resolution to use military force to eject Iraq from there in accordance with the provisions of Chapter VII of the Charter. He noted that Iraq “ fulfilled all decisions to leave the past behind altogether and build relationships with our neighbours, and the current Government cannot do maintenance project boundary, it is for future Government ”. http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=BVNav&from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsabah.com%2Ftpl%2Farticle.tpl%3FIdLanguage%3D17%26NrIssue%3D1783%26NrSection%3D1%26NrArticle%3D42654

Senior Iraqi officials in Turkey as part of efforts to form govt Davutoglu is set to meet on Tuesday with Ibrahim Jaafari, former Iraqi prime minister. Sunday, 08 August 2010 11:54 Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu had met with Iraqi government spokesperson Ali al-Dabbagh who visited Ankara as a special envoy for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The statement said Davutoglu and al-Dabbagh discussed ongoing efforts to form a new Iraqi government, adding that al-Dabbagh also conveyed to the top Turkish diplomat a message from the Iraqi premier. The statement said Davutoglu met on Thursday with Hammam Hammudi, a senior member of Iraq's Supreme Islamic Council in the United Iraqi Alliance. Davutoglu is set to meet on Tuesday with Ibrahim Jaafari, former Iraqi prime minister. http://www.worldbulletin.net/news_detail.php?id=62364

Talabani is still the strongest candidate for president's office Sunday, August 8th 2010 3:05 PM Baghdad, Aug. 8, (AKnews) – No political bloc has informed the Kurdistan Blocs Coalition (KBC) that the office of the Iraqi president is off-limit to the Kurds, in particular outgoing President Jalal Talabani, said an official of the KBC on Sunday. Mahmoud Othman, a prominent Kurdish lawmaker, said up to date other than Jalal Talabani there is no other nominee for the president’s post. Talabani was elected as president in 2005. He is nominated by the Kurds to retain the largely-ceremonial office for another four-year term. The calls from Kurds for Talabani to stay in office comes as the outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visits Erbil for talks with Kurdish leaders. After suspending talks for over a week, a team of Kurdish representatives in Baghdad commenced significant negotiations this week with other political blocs in order to form a new government for the country, said Othman. According to the lawmaker, the KBC "has certain fixed principles” and it does not have strong objections against any party or person when it comes to holding the prime minister’s office. “The Kurds refuse the marginalization of any component in the political process.” Othman said the forthcoming government must be committed to the articles of the constitution and federalism. He also stated future decision making processes must be based on political consensus. A delegation of Kurdish negotiators held talks last month in Baghdad with the major blocs of al-Iraqiya and State of Law Coalition (SLC) but did not arrive at an agreement. Al-Iraqiya, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi came first in last March’s parliamentary elections with 91 seats. The SLC, led by Maliki came second with 89 seats. The constituting parties of the KBC have agreed on a common platform as the basis of their future alliances with other Iraqi factions. The country’s political blocs have been mired in a deadlock situation after five months of intense talks. The groups have not been able to agree on a candidate for the prime minister’s post. As the political crisis continues, the country has witnessed a rise in violence prompting fears that further delay could negatively affect the country’s security situation. Maliki’s government claim to be in charge of the circumstances saying the political turmoil will not affect its handling of the security situation. Washington also is concerned that the stalemate might negatively impact the timetable for withdrawing its troops from the country. The U.S. military it expected to withdraw its combat troops from Iraq by the end of August, but around 50,000 troops will be left behind to act as advisors to the Iraqi military until the end of 2011. http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/171770

Legal expert: "Power sharing is best solution to end current Iraqi crisis." Sunday, August 8th 2010 9:36 AM Baghdad, Aug. 8 (AKnews) - An Iraqi legal expert said on Saturday that sharing the joint sovereign power is the best solution to solve the political crisis in the country. The alliance between Al- Iraqiya List and the State of Law Coalition (SLC) may lead to the formation of a new political power of the three presidencies, Tariq Harb, An Iraqi legal expert told AKnews. "The political blocs are suffering from a confidence crisis among them, even if a bloc got 50% of the votes in the recent parliamentary elections, a crisis would not have happen," he added. "The best solution for this crisis comes by sharing power through giving the presidency post to the Kurdistan Alliance, the prime minister post to the State of law, entrusting the Parliament Speaker post and most of the sovereign ministries to Al-Iraqiya List," said Harb. The results of the elections, announced by the Supreme Electoral Commission on March 26th had showed the progress of Al-Iraqiya list by gaining 91 seats, followed by State of Law coalition (SLC) that won 89 seats and the Iraqi National Alliance (INA )by 70 seats and the Kurdistan Alliance by 57 seats of the new 325-seat Iraqi parliament. The country is witnessing, since the announcement of the Federal Court over its ratification in the election results on June 1st, a political mobility among the four winning blocs in the elections to form the new government; but these blocs have not succeeded until now to reach an agreement to form the government, because of the legal disagreements over the bloc that will be charged to head the next government. http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/171611

KA to form alliance with Iraqi winning parties Sunday, August 8th 2010 9:07 PM Baghdad, Aug. 8 (AKnews) –The Kurdistan Alliance (KA) will tie up with the winning Iraqi political parties based on its national plan. "The plan includes 16 points related to the democratic policy in Iraq and the Kurdish basic rights in the Iraqi national constitution," said on Sunday Sami Shorsh, a member in the KA. "We have planned to inform Nouri al-Maliki of the Kurdistan Alliance's recent proposal during his visit to Kurdistan," he noted. Kurdistan Region's President Massoud Barzani met the former Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki in the Region. The delegation of Kurdistan Alliance goes back on Sunday to Baghdad to ally with the winning Iraqi political parties based on the recent proposal. The KA includes Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Patriotic Union of Kurdistan as well as Gorran "change" movement, Kurdistan Islamic Union (KIU) and Kurdistan Islamic Group (KIG). The Kurdistan Alliance won 57 out of 325 parliamentary seats in the Iraqi parliamentary election of March 7. The Kurdistani List won 43 seats, and Gorran movement won 8 seats while KIU had 4 and KIG, 2. http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/171850

August 8, 2010 Hassan Allawi calls on the top of the withdrawal from the leadership race and confirms that the hope of forming a government of Allawi, is little The leader of the Iraqi List, the upper well in a newspaper interview the President Iyad Allawi's list to withdraw from the leadership race and losing the sale because the chances to win were slim because of the nature of the sectarian system, claiming that the current sectarian and Iran is the next prime minister decides to not vote. Ruled out the MP-based Iraqi Hassan Alawi, to assume the leader of the list Iyad Allawi, the new prime minister because he was not recognized by the Shi'ites, saying that it determines the identity of the prime minister are the Shiites Bmarjeithm and their parties as well as Iran, expected in this regard to seek al-Maliki to Shiite religious authority to take the post of prime minister. He said the top that there are forms on the form the next government as the character of the new system based on sectarianism prescribing that the Prime Minister's Shiites, pointing out that Allawi is not recognized by the Shi'ite clerical establishment of points of reference religion (Ali al-Sistani) and the Islamic Movement Bohzabha different, the Sadrists and the Dawa Party and the Council ( Supreme Islamic) and independent and that they are deciding the identity of the Prime Minister and not the deputies, saying that existing opportunities, weak Iraqi government was formed. He said the top saying that this fact is not new, and has reported on the Declaration of results of the elections and said that we block an Iraqi is no role for us, the Sunnis do not consider us a year and the Shiites do not consider us to be Shia, and this is the price paid by the neutral and secular country governed by the confessional system, pointing out that advised Allawi and advise him now to sell its loss although the overall winner. http://articlesofinterest-kelley.blogspot.com/search?q=iraq

Iraqi leaders agree to roadmap for gov''t row Politics 8/8/2010 10:22:00 PM IRBIL, Aug 8 (KUNA) -- Iraq Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki have agreed to a roadmap for a way out of the row over a new Iraqi government. Speaking at a joint news conference with Al-Maliki, Barzani said they would begin soon consultations with Iraqi political blocs about such a roadmap. He said they have vowed to step up efforts to put an end to the current political cul-de-sac in the country as soon as possible. Concerning Al-Maliki's desire to be the prime minister for another term, he said Kurdistan Region would not object if Al-Maliki wants to do so. For his part, Al-Maliki said he has visited Kurdistan to discuss with Barzani a way out of the present crisis in Iraq. He said everybody should live up to responsibility by taking part in the running of state affairs, making it certain all political forces and blocs are partners in the political process. He insisted that he would not give up as a candidate for the post of prime minister. In the recent Iraqi general polls, the Iraqiya List won 91 seats out of the parliament's 325 seats, while the State of Law Coalition won 89, the Iraqi National Alliance garnered 70 seats, and the Iraqi Kurdish Alliance got 43 seats. The debate between the leading political blocs over who should head the government has hindered the formation of a new cabinet in the country. (end) sbr.mt KUNA 082222 Aug 10NNNN http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2105256&Language=en

US general eyes "first steps" toward Iraqi gov't Today at 20:43 | Reuters Odierno sees progress in forming Iraq government. WASHINGTON - Iraqi political leaders are likely to make headway in forming a government ahead of a Sept. 1 date for the United States to end combat operations in the country, the U.S. commander in Iraq said on Sunday. Iraq has been in political limbo since an inconclusive March 7 election as Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish political factions have failed to agree on a new government in five months since the vote. "I think we'll see some first steps toward forming a government by 1 September," U.S. General Ray Odierno told ABC's "This Week" program without elaborating on what those steps might be. Odierno also said he was confident that Iraqi forces, helped by 50,000 U.S. troops that will remain in Iraq after Sept. 1, can overcome attacks by people trying to take advantage of the political stalemate. U.S. troop levels in the drawdown of forces are not linked to the formation of an Iraqi government, Odierno said. "Our numbers are linked to the capacity that the Iraqis -- of the Iraqi security forces being able to sustain stability -- and I think they are moving toward that capacity," he said. The United States currently has just under 65,000 troops in Iraq. It had close to 150,000 at the height of the conflict. Odierno credited the Iraqi security forces with staying "neutral" and "very professional" in conducting their duties while competing political factions struggle to put together a government. The 50,000 U.S. troops that will stay in Iraq after Sept. 1 will represent a "significant presence" to help the Iraqi military against militant forces, including al Qaeda in Iraq, whose capabilities have been worn down by the allies, he said. "Their ability to surge and do this over a sustained period of time is limited, and that's due to a lot of the work of the Iraqi security forces, working with us to conduct these operations," Odierno said. (Reporting by Paul Eckert, editing by Eric Beech) Read more: http://www.kyivpost.com/news/world/detail/77435/#ixzz0w2S7MrFt'>http://www.kyivpost.com/news/world/detail/77435/#ixzz0w2S7MrFt http://www.kyivpost.com/news/world/detail/77435/

News and reports: President invites to resolve contentious issues on the political scene Union: President Jalal Talabani, the efforts to narrow gaps between Iraqi political forces to unite attitudes to accelerate the formation of new Iraqi Government and overcoming differences between where a series of dialogues with leaders of political blocs, having met him on Friday with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met with his Excellency President Jalal Talabani in residence in Baghdad, Saturday, Vice President and lead Iraqi Islamic Supreme Council Abdulmohdy Adel. And during the meeting to exchange views on the need to revitalize the steps that will accelerate the pace of endeavours to resolve the differences between political blocs on the road. The meeting was attended by Dr. Latif Rashid water resources Minister and Senior Advisor to President Professor Emeritus cream. President Talabani meets with Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari He also met with his Excellency President Jalal Talabani in residence in Baghdad on Saturday, leading the National Alliance of Dr. Ibrahim Jaafari and his entourage, where you talk about the political and security developments and the nature of dialogues between political factions. President Talabani JAFARY stressed the need to strengthen Iraq's unity and resolve contentious issues on the political scene in a spirit of patriotism, responsibility towards the critical issues affecting present and future of the entire political process, stressing the importance to make every effort to expedite the creation of genuine national partnership represents the entire spectrum of Iraq and to undertake the tasks of national stability and provide needed services to citizens and the reality in the country. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. rose Nuri Shaways and Senior Advisor to President Professor Emeritus cream. President up Sulaymaniyah Meanwhile, his Excellency President Jalal Talabani on Saturday evening, Sulaymaniyah from Baghdad. And greeted him at the international airport of Sulaymaniyah Kosrat gentlemen on the Messenger and Barham Ahmed Salih Deputy Secretary-General and a number of members of the Politburo and party officials and Government. http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=BVNav&from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alitthad.com%2Fpaper.php%3Fname%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D79545

SLC: "Al-Maliki, our most fortunate candidate for Prime Minister's post." Saturday, August 7th 2010 1:15 PM Baghdad, Aug. 7 (AKnews) - A leader in the State of Law Coalition (SLC), led by the outgoing Prime Minister, Nuri al-Maliki, said on Saturday that Maliki is the most fortunate candidate for holding the prime minister's post, indicating that other alternative leading posts in the government were presented to al-Iraqiya bloc, (led by former Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi) . "The next stage will be represented by an alliance between SLC and al-Iraqiya list and forming a bloc of 180 seats, and taking into account the political involvement of the other components in the next government," said Abdul-Hadi al-Hasani. "The next phase shall witness some modifications on some constitutional powers for the benefit of the balance between the posts, as well as granting certain powers with the responsibilities of some of the positions in the next government," he added. "SLC is nominated to get the Prime Minister's post through its candidate for the post, and the difference between the coalition and al-Iraqiya candidate won't be as it was in the United Iraqi Alliance list," Hasani stressed, adding that "al-Iraqiya has the choice to hold othe leading posts and those posts will be kept for the list." Al-Maliki met Allawi on the 23rd of last month in the third meeting of its kind, and some sources in al-Iraqiya revealed that Allawi delivered a verbal message to Maliki on Monday at the Prime Minister's headqaurter without disclosing the details of the message. The Iraqi National Alliance (INA), another major Shia bloc, has decided to suspend its talks with the SLC, until the latter nominates another candidate other than the outgoing Prime Minister Maliki. Maliki’s SLC is also dominated by Shia parties and figures. Five months after last March’s parliamentary elections, Iraqi factions have not succeeded in reaching an agreement to form the government, because of differences over the bloc that has the right to head the next government. With INA breaking off talks with SLC, Maliki’s efforts to retain office are undermined. INA leaders had threatened that if SLC would not replace Maliki with another candidate, they will consider joining other major parliamentary blocs like al-Iraqiya and the Kurdish Coalition. Al-Iraqiya is a Sunni-dominated group, headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shia. It emerged as the major winner of the elections with 91 seats. But at least 163 seats are needed to form the new government. That has led the country’s political blocs to attempt to create larger coalitions to set up the new government. http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/171454

KBC: "We will have a great role in solving the prime minister's crisis." Saturday, August 7th 2010 10:50 AM Baghdad, Aug.7 (AKnews) - A member of the Kurdistan Bloc Coalition (KBC) bloc said on Saturday that a series of important topics were discussed during the meeting of the Kurdish delegation to Erbil, in order to resolve the Iraqi government crisis. "The leaders of KBC met in Erbil and discussed there a lot of issues to get out from the government crisis caused by the dispute over the Prime Minister's post," said Mahmoud Othman. "The Kurdish delegation will return to Baghdad today to begin new serious dialogues with all political blocs to find a solution for the crisis, and we hope that the results of the meeting will be successfull this time," Othman noted. He added that "a meeting with the leaders of the political blocs will take place after the discussions to adress the results that the Kurdish delegation reached during the visit, and we will have a great role in solving the government crisis." The Kurdish parties reiterated their insistence on outgoing President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, to retain office for another four-year's term. The KBC delegation temporarily suspended its talks in Baghdad last week objecting to the failure of larger blocs to agree on a nominee for the prime minister’s position with whom they could negotiate. The KBC has 57 seats in the Iraqi parliament. It includes Kurdistan Alliance, Gorran Movement, Kurdistan Islamic Union, and the Kurdistan Islamic Group. The KBC consists of the two ruling parties in Iraqi Kurdistan, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Kurdistan President, Massoud Barzani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), headed by Iraq's President, Jalal Talabani. The Iraqi National Alliance (INA), a major Shia bloc, has decided to suspend its talks with the State of Law (SLC), until the latter nominates another candidate other than the outgoing Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Maliki’s SLC is also dominated by Shia parties and figures. Five months after last March’s parliamentary elections, Iraqi factions have not succeeded in reaching an agreement to form the government, because of the differences over the bloc that has the right to head the next government. With INA breaking off talks with SLC, Maliki’s efforts to retain office are undermined. INA leaders had threatened that if SLC would not replace Maliki with another candidate, they will consider joining other major parliamentary blocs, like al-Iraqiya and the Kurdish Coalition. Al-Iraqiya is a Sunni-dominated group, headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shia. It emerged as the major winner of the elections with 91 seats. But at least 163 seats are needed to form the government. That has led the country’s political blocs to attempt to create larger coalitions to set up the future government. http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/171395

Biden Yhatev Allawi Maliki to Erbil soon 2010-08-07 According to Iraqi coalition spokesman said she herself aldmlogi Mason Iyad Allawi telephone Friday afternoon from Vice President Joseph Biden discussed the political process and the formation of the Government, the coalition. The statement quoted aldmlogi saying Allawi turning to negotiations between Iraqi State law “ ”, he did not intervene in the last dot ”. He had expressed his astonishment of “ wrap (State law) on the efforts of Iraqi involvement of all power in the political decision-making process and a national partnership and the distribution of competences, which insists on selected before indulging in a presidential and sovereign sites and distribution portfolios ”. Added “ aldmlogi to Iraq to negotiate in earnest with the winning elections, all the blocks and blocks that never won, but it has the extension in the street, to form a genuine national partnership meets Iraqi ambitions. Meanwhile the leading coalition of State law on the author, on Saturday, Maliki's coalition leader will soon Erbil City to meet with President Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan region of Iraq and some Kurdish leaders on the topic of Government, at the same time that Al-Maliki visit llkerd guarantees on certain outstanding issues. He went there "for visit of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Erbil, Kurdistan of Massoud Barzani and some Kurdish leaders, visit will be to discuss the role in the political process as well as the exchange of views between Al-Maliki and Barzani, especially that last longer than the basic elements and the task in the political process." "The Kurdistan Alliance has announced a red line or objection to candidacy for another term, such as some other entities. http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=BVNav&from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsabah.com%2Ftemplates%2Farticle.tpl%3FIdLanguage%3D17%26NrIssue%3D1782%26NrSection%3D21%26NrArticle%3D42637

Maliki: rivals seek to weaken premiership Reuters/Baghdad Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki acknowledged yesterday he was “part of the problem” holding up the formation of a new Iraq government but challenged allies and opponents to find a better candidate for the top job. Five months after an election Iraqis hoped would underpin governance, Maliki told Reuters Iraq’s security was stable and said investor confidence had not been shaken by lengthy and so far fruitless talks for a coalition government. But he said that his opponents were attempting to weaken the premiership and said this could destabilise Iraq and bring back militants linked to Al Qaeda as well as the militias that were involved in Iraq’s sectarian slaughter in 2006-07. A March 7 parliamentary election produced no clear winner, leaving the Shia Maliki and secularist ex-prime minister Iyad Allawi battling to form a majority coalition as Iraq tries to ramp up production from its world-class oil reserves and rebuild an economy ravaged by war. “They are saying there is a broad objection to Maliki. But I know that there will be greater objections to (other) candidates,” he said in an interview on Friday. “Yes, I am part of the problem but I didn’t create the problem,” he said. “I want to solve the problem.” Maliki’s largely Shia State of Law coalition won two seats fewer than Allawi’s Sunni-backed, cross-sectarian Iraqiya in the vote but then merged with the third-place finisher, the Iran-friendly Iraqi National Alliance, to form a Shia bloc. But the Shia allies have not been able to agree on a nominee for prime minister. INA said last week it was rejecting Maliki and halting talks until his bloc offers another candidate. Maliki said he was in “serious and strong talks” with rival Allawi’s Iraqiya, the Kurdish bloc and smaller parties, but was open to a reunion with INA, his traditional ally. “We don’t want to exclude them from coalition formation. They should come and take their share if we form the government,” he said at the prime minister’s residence. Maliki said the government impasse posed no risk to investors, citing projects to set up power generating capacity. “We don’t have any problem,” he said. “Investments were not affected and will not be affected.” He rejected critics who suggest the drawn-out government formation talks—which in a few days will be longer than those after the 2005 election, when sectarian violence exploded—have opened the door to a renewed insurgency. Iraq is plagued by bombings, assassinations and other attacks by Sunni insurgents and Shia militias but Maliki lauded the work of Iraq’s nascent security forces and said the attacks had not worsened during the impasse over a government. However, “I am convinced if there is a weak PM, someone who does not have the support of the political leadership and political blocs, the risks will be big for the unity of Iraq, for security,” he said. “The militias will return, Al Qaeda will come back, there will be conflicts.” With Washington planning to cut down to 50,000 troops by month’s end from just under 65,000 now as it formally ends combat operations on August 31, Maliki said it was too early to talk about whether the US stay in Iraq should be extended. That would require a change in the negotiated security pact between the two countries, which says US troops should be gone by the end of next year. “The US cannot keep bases unless parliament decides they will stay ... the PM cannot decide on this. He can make a proposal and parliament will decide on this,” Maliki said. Maliki said Iraqi forces were “100% in charge” of the nation’s security. “The security situation is stable. I don’t say there are no attacks. There are. But there is no deterioration. Rather there is progress.” Maliki, who rose from relative obscurity to win the premiership after long coalition talks following the 2005 election, said regional and international interference in Iraq had “complicated” government formation and “if this doesn’t stop there will be no government.” Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the US and others have been accused of meddling. “Iraq is not a small country you can force an agenda upon. Those who fear the influence of Shias, or influence of Iran, are wrong,” Maliki said. “They don’t know the Iraqi Shias. These are citizens who defend their nation and fight for it.” http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=378897&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17

Maliki still hopes for new PM term August 08, 2010 BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki has acknowledged that he was “part of the problem” holding up the formation of a new Iraq government but challenged allies and opponents to find a better candidate for the top job. Five months after an election Iraqis hoped would underpin governance, Maliki told Reuters Iraq’s security was stable and said investor confidence had not been shaken by lengthy and so far fruitless talks for a coalition government. But he said that his opponents were attempting to weaken the premiership and said this could destabilise Iraq and bring back militants linked to al Qaeda as well as the militias that were involved in Iraq’s sectarian slaughter in 2006-07. A March 7 parliamentary election produced no clear winner, leaving the Shiite Maliki and secularist ex-prime minister Iyad Allawi battling to form a majority coalition as Iraq tries to ramp up production from its world-class oil reserves and rebuild an economy ravaged by war. “They are saying there is a broad objection to Maliki. But I know that there will be greater objections to (other) candidates,” he told Reuters in an interview on Friday. “Yes, I am part of the problem but I didn’t create the problem,” he said. “I want to solve the problem.” Maliki’s largely Shiite State of Law coalition won two seats fewer than Allawi’s Sunni-backed, cross-sectarian Iraqiya in the vote but then merged with the third-place finisher, the Iran-friendly Iraqi National Alliance (INA), to form a Shiite bloc. But the Shiite allies have not been able to agree on a nominee for prime minister. INA said last week it was rejecting Maliki and halting talks until his bloc offers another candidate. Maliki said he was in “serious and strong talks” with rival Allawi’s Iraqiya, the Kurdish bloc and smaller parties, but was open to a reunion with INA, his traditional ally. “We don’t want to exclude them from coalition formation. They should come and take their share if we form the government,” he said at the prime minister’s residence. Maliki said the government impasse posed no risk to investors, citing projects to set up power generating capacity. “We don’t have any problem,” he said. “Investments were not affected and will not be affected.” He rejected critics who suggest the drawn-out government formation talks — which in a few days will be longer than those after the 2005 election, when sectarian violence exploded — have opened the door to a renewed insurgency. http://gulftoday.ae/portal/ab9f3c78-1d24-42e3-b2e0-437ae74253aa.aspx ........... i dont believe he doe's

Maliki still wants PM job despite govt impasse Published Date: August 08, 2010 BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki acknowledged on Friday he was "part of the problem" holding up the formation of a new Iraq government but challenged allies and opponents to find a better candidate for the top job. Five months after an election Iraqis hoped would underpin governance, Maliki told Reuters Iraq's security was stable and said investor confidence had not been shaken by lengthy and so far fruitless talks for a coalition government. But he said that his opponents were attempting to weaken the premiership and said this could destabilise Iraq and bring back militants linked to al Qaeda as well as the militias that were involved in Iraq's sectarian slaughter in 2006-07. A March 7 parliamentary election produced no clear winner, leaving the Shi'ite Maliki and secularist ex-Prime Minister Iyad Allawi battling to form a majority coalition as Iraq tries to ramp up production from its world-class oil reserves and rebuild an economy ravaged by war. They are saying there is a broad objection to Maliki. But I know that there will be greater objections to (other) candidates," he told Reuters in an interview on Friday. "Yes, I am part of the problem but I didn't create the problem," he said. "I want to solve the problem. Maliki's largely Shi'ite State of Law coalition won two seats fewer than Allawi's Sunni-backed, cross-sectarian Iraqiya in the vote but then merged with the third-place finisher, the Iran-friendly Iraqi National Alliance, to form a Shi'ite bloc. But the Shi'ite allies have not been able to agree on a nominee for prime minister. INA said last week it was rejecting Maliki and halting talks until his bloc offers another candidate. Maliki said he was in "serious and strong talks" with rival Allawi's Iraqiya, the Kurdish bloc and smaller parties, but was open to a reunion with INA, his traditional ally. We don't want to exclude them from coalition formation. They should come and take their share if we form the government," he said at the prime minister's residence. Maliki said the government impasse posed no risk to investors, citing projects to set up power generating capacity. We don't have any problem," he said. "Investments were not affected and will not be affected." He rejected critics who suggest the drawn-out government formation talks-which in a few days will be longer than those after the 2005 election, when sectarian violence exploded- have opened the door to a renewed insurgency. Iraq is plagued by bombings, assassinations and other attacks by Sunni insurgents and Shi'ite militias but Maliki lauded the work of Iraq's nascent security forces and said the attacks had not worsened during the impasse over a government. However, "I am convinced if there is a weak PM, someone who does not have the support of the political leadership and political blocs, the risks will be big for the unity of Iraq, for security," he said. "The militias will return, al Qaeda will come back, there will be conflicts. With Washington planning to cut down to 50,000 troops by month's end from just under 65,000 now as it formally ends combat operations Aug. 31, Maliki said it was too early to talk about whether the US stay in Iraq should be extended. That would require a change in the negotiated security pact between the two countries, which says US troops should be gone by the end of next year. "The US cannot keep bases unless parliament decides they will stay ... the PM cannot decide on this. He can make a proposal and parliament will decide on this," Maliki said. I don't want to talk about this. It's too early. We still have a year and four or five months. God willing the situation will change and the next prime minister will not have to make such a proposal. Maliki said Iraqi forces were "100 percent in charge" of the nation's security. "The security situation is stable. I don't say there are no attacks. There are. But there is no deterioration. Rather there is progress. Maliki, who rose from relative obscurity to win the premiership after long coalition talks following the 2005 election, said regional and international interference in Iraq had "complicated" government formation and "if this doesn't stop there will be no government. Shi'ite neighbour Iran, Sunni bastion Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United States and others have been accused of meddling. "Iraq is not a small country you can force an agenda upon. Those who fear the influence of Shi'ites, or influence of Iran, are wrong," Maliki said. "They don't know the Iraqi Shi'ites. These are citizens who defend their nation and fight for it." - Reuters Local News Navy to conduct containment drill KUWAIT: A Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) official has reassured the public that a recent oil spill that affected Kuwait's... Kuwait aid afflicted worldwide: KRCS Oudh oil prices rise for Ramadan Beat the tough weather in Kuwait and take a walk MoI, MPW investigating Sixth Ring Road crater Kuwaiti team reaches flood-hit Peshawar Independent national fund for developmental projects Boubyan port project enters third stage Regional News Six police among seven killed in Iraq violence BAGHDAD: Six policemen were among seven people killed in and around Baghdad, including four who died in a fierce gunbattle... Lebanon to draw up army weapons plan Maliki still wants PM job despite govt impasse Gaza power plant shuts down citing lack of fuel Stage set for new talks No Iran concessions in nuke documents Syrian minister blames Israel for aggressive policy Obama is leaving Iraq to the wolves: Aziz Three cops killed in Baghdad http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NTIwMjQyMzc1

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council called on Iraq on Thursday to address all outstanding issues related to Kuwait, oil-for-food program contracts, and disarmament so it can cancel sanctions and more than 70 resolutions adopted after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait. In a resolution adopted unanimously to extend the U.N.’s civilian mission in Iraq for a year, the council said it recognized “the importance of Iraq achieving international standing equal to that which it held” before the first resolution was adopted immediately after Saddam Hussein’s invasion. Iraq’s U.N. Ambassador Hamid al-Bayati told thecouncil Wednesday that “the most important issue facing Iraq ... remains to get rid of the burden” of resolutions adopted under Chapter VII ... http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2010/aug/06/un-iraq-take-necessary-steps-end-sanction-20100806/