Government could be formed soon in Iraq

[inheritance]

Government could be formed soon in Iraq

Al Maliki says talks with Kurds and Iraqiya to become clear in a few days

By Jane Arraf, Christian Science MonitorPublished: 00:00 October 10, 2010

In this file photo, Nouri Al Maliki (right) greets Kurdish regional President Massoud Barzani.

A Kurdish political negotiator says his bloc is close to a deal that would give Al Maliki enough parliament seats to form a new government.Image Credit: AP

Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki says his Shiite coalition is close to forming a government and could announce a new coalition by next week, ending Iraq's long-running political crisis.

"This is not going to be easily determined but the progress of these talks indicates we have come to near the end of these negotiations," Al Maliki told the Monitor on Friday.

Speaking in his first interview since he received the key backing of hardline Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr last week, Al Maliki says he expects the results of negotiations with the Kurdish coalition and talks with the secular Iraqiya bloc to become clear in the next two to three days.

Although the most likely scenario appeared to involve an alliance with Eyad Allawi, whose Iraqiya coalition includes many Sunnis, it was still unclear whether Allawi would accept Al Maliki's terms. The proposed alliance with Al Maliki also appeared to sideline the Kurds.

Iraqis went to the polls in March in the first national election since they regained full sovereignty. But forming a government that does not exclude major groups and risk re-igniting sectarian violence has proved agonisingly difficult.

When none of the candidates won enough seats to form a majority in parliament, Al Maliki demanded — and obtained — a recount. Seven months after the election, negotiations have just recently swung into high gear.

Al Maliki, who is still more than 20 seats short of the 163-seat majority that he needs in parliament, looks almost certain to be the next prime minister, unless his main Shiite rival Adul Abdul Mehdi can muster enough votes.

Recent reports suggest that Allawi could become president, rather than the next prime minister. But Al Maliki said that Allawi would not be Iraq's next president.

"The presidency is essentially spoken for," says Al Maliki , referring to the Kurdish claim to the position currently held by Jalal Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, saying they would have to relinquish the position. "Take it from me in full confidence — the Kurds will not forgo the position of president and the president will be Jalal Talabani."

Instead, he says, they were offering Allawi the position of head of a powerful new body named the National Council for Strategic Studies, a decision-making body, as well as the position of speaker of parliament and a share of key ministries for members of Iraqiya.

Al Maliki says all the parties had rejected a proposal made to them by US Vice-President Joe Biden in which Talabani would become a special ambassadorial envoy, Allawi would be named president, and Al Maliki would remain prime minister. American officials have publicly said the US has not promoted any plan but privately have made clear that they will back any government that includes Sunnis, Kurds, and Shiites.

The war that toppled Saddam Hussain also paved the way for Iraq's Shiite majority to take power for the first time — sending shock waves throughout the region and within the country's traditional Sunni political elite. The US decision to disband the Iraqi Army and outlaw the Baath Party is blamed for fuelling the insurgency. Now, maintaining a balance of power between Shiites, Sunnis, and Kurds is seen as the key to Iraq holding together.

Ending gridlock: Call to join negotiations

Iraq's prime minister is calling on all political rivals to join negotiations to end the country's seven-month government impasse.

The appeal by Nouri Al Maliki comes as his Shiite-led coalition is holding talks with various parties to get a parliament majority and the right to form a new government.

Speaking to a group of Iraqi tribal leaders on Saturday, Al Maliki said political leaders must put aside differences and open talks to end the political gridlock.

http://gulfnews.com/news/region/iraq/government-could-be-formed-soon-in-iraq-1.694093

[ThePeoplesChamp]

Excellent post! Thank you!!!

GOOO RV!!!

[tjfoz]

soon. hahhahahaha. another year.

[gfulcher66]

soon. hahhahahaha. another year.

It might be another year, it may not even be another month.... but, you surely dont know. Can you make any logical arguement it will be next year, or 2 or 3 years?

Good post, great news that goes along with all the gurus agreeing that we are on high alert

We are in the red zone!

[powerpager]

Just a few more DAYS !!!

[Dianne]

Thank you for the post!

[jcav]

There's that "soon" word again. Dopes

[vianney71]

It might be another year, it may not even be another month.... but, you surely dont know. Can you make any logical arguement it will be next year, or 2 or 3 years?

Good post, great news that goes along with all the gurus agreeing that we are on high alert

We are in the red zone!

Good on you!!

Good response.

[mrparrot]

There's that "soon" word again. Dopes

I checked the Iraqi Dictionary.

Soon: See "year".

[JayLee202]

Like Mr. Trump says, never predict anything you have no control over

[tileman1814]

When i see the wire transfer into my bank account,then i'll belive the RV has taken place.

Semper Fi !!!

[dinariac]

Hopefully this is all true because it is now -

RRRRRRVVVVVVVVVVVV T T T T T T T T I I I I I I I I M M M M M M M M E E E E E E E E E

[Guest Ratatap]

All things are as they should be - someone important said that - I think.....I am trying to live that with this Dinar in my hands.

GO RV !!!!!!

[Earnest T Bass]

All in favor of not posting any more "GOI will be formed/seated soon" say I. Man I am tired of soon. What does it mean? Tonight? Tomorrow? Next week? Or another 7 months? These "soon" articles are absolute gibberish and don't even come up to the standard of even rumor. That's my 2 cents.