“I was surprised to see a report by al-Hayat Saudi Newspaper over a secret visit by Maliki to Iran to conduct dialogue over the Shiite talks concerning the new government… This report is groundless and absolutely false and he will head the Council of Ministers session today,” said Ali al-Musawi, Media Advisor of the Premier, Nouri al-Maliki. (IraqiNews, 4 May)
Maliki’s State of Law coalition received the highest number of votes in Thursday’s parliamentary elections in Iraq; his coalition could win over 100 of parliament’s 328 seats, enabling Maliki to form his third government with the help of other Shia groups, and with only token representation from Sunni and Kurdish parties.
UPDATE: Iraq's Shia spiritual leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, has warned of attempts to “manipulate the parliamentary election results,” said his representative Sheikh Abdul Mahdi Al-Karbalai. (The Middle East Monitor, 4 May)
Meanwhile, Muqtada Al-Sadr warned of a Shia revolt in southern Iraq against Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki if he is declared to have won the election, claiming that Al-Maliki could only win through “manipulation of the figures and fraud.”
This means that Maliki will face stiff opposition from rival Shia parties to form his third government, even if his State of Law coalition wins more seats that other parties.
File photo: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (IraqiNews)
The likes of Ilyad Allawi and members akin to those of the Iraqi National Accord are what Iraq need the most at this moment in time.
ReplyDeleteUntil the Iraq people put aside their differences with each other and work together towards a single party for Iraq, I do not see much change on the horizon.
DeleteThe Iraqi people deserve a measure of praise for their participation in the election. Despite the violence, which by the way was noticeably down from levels during the 2008 election (while still under American military occupation), this year there was an impressive turnout of over 60%.
ReplyDeleteLast time around it took nine months and Iranian political assistance to form a government. Yet to see how long it takes this time around.
turnout was not impressive. it was lower than the turnout in 2010.... when the Americans were still there.
Deleteit's like you're still fighting, or at least being a little drummer, for the slave owners in the American Civil War,
yes Maliki is ashamed to be seen publicly as a lackey of Iraq's enemy
ReplyDelete