Iraq PM invites politicians to join new bloc

Source ::: REUTERS

BAGHDAD • Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki yesterday called on political groups to join a proposed new alliance that would cut across sectarian lines and support his embattled government.

"This front is open to all those who agree with us over the necessity of improving the performance of the government, its (institutions) and in facing the threats against it," Maliki told a news conference.

His remarks follow reports in recent weeks that the ruling Shi'ite Alliance and two big Kurdish parties, which together hold a majority in parliament, planned to form an alliance in the wake of defections from the government by some politicians.

The main Sunni Arab bloc is boycotting cabinet and parliament meetings over what it says is unfair treatment of its members, although the move also reflects the deep sectarian divide in Iraqi politics.

Six ministers loyal to anti-American Shi'ite cleric Muqtada Al Sadr quit the government in April over Maliki's refusal to set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. Sadr's parliamentary bloc is also boycotting the legislature in protest at the bombing of a revered Shi'ite shrine last month.

Some Sunni Arab politicians and followers of Sadr, responding to the earlier reports of the proposed alliance, have said the move was a way to "sideline" them.

But Maliki said his critics were free to join if they were committed to resolving difference by peaceful means.

"It is open to all and we invite all those who participate in politics to join ... but it's unacceptable for them to have one foot in terrorism, violence and extremism," Maliki said.

A Maliki aide said this week the prime minister would shrink his cabinet to improve the government's performance amid frustration at its failure to deliver on security and political reform.

Maliki has said for months he wanted a reshuffle to cull inefficient ministers and bring in more technocrats. On Tuesday, he acknowledged the government's performance had been poor.

Cabinet posts reflect a quota system largely based on seats held in parliament by the Shi'ite majority, minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds. This has made many ministers more loyal to their political and sectarian blocs than Maliki.

Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki yesterday demanded the movement loyal to fiery cleric Muqtada Al Sadr take a clear stance on "terrorism" being committed by elements linked to the group.

Maliki used unusually tough language following recent unrest in southern Shi'ite cities where Sadr's Mehdi Army has clashed with Iraqi and US security forces.

"We hear from officials in the Sadr movement that they're against the use of weapons and condemn those who do (use them)," Maliki told reporters.

"The leadership of the movement must take clear and decisive decisions so they do not carry the responsibility of those who act in their name," he added.

Fighting between the Mehdi Army and Iraqi security forces has killed dozens of people in recent weeks in the relatively calm southern cities of Nassiriya, Diwaniya and Samawa.

Sadr, who has great appeal among Iraq's Shi'ite masses, was influential in Maliki's rise to power more than a year ago. But ties appear to have cooled.

Sadr's parliamentary bloc is also boycotting the legislature in protest at the bombing of a revered Shi'ite shrine last month in the city of Samarra.