Sunni- Shiite talks on Iraqi government formation
Iraq, Politics, 3/11/2006

The Iraqi Sunni al-Tawafuk Front started a meeting with the Shiite United Coalition bloc in order to discuss the political crisis over the attempt to form a new Iraqi government.

This was expressed by the spokesman for the front Zafer al-Ani. He said that representatives for the two blocs will discuss the current crisis and means of solving it. He added that the meeting's agenda includes several points to be discussed including "basis on the ground the next government will be built upon and its concepts and work mechanism, as well as means of taking part in the political decision making process."

The meeting of the two blocs is the first since the al-Tawafuk front announced its withdrawal from the talks of forming the government, following the attacks against several Sunni mosques following Samara Shiite shrine explosions on February 22nd.

Al-Tawafuk Front, together with other political forces, reject the nomination of the interim prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari for the post of the prime minister holding him responsible for not controling acts of violence following Samara incidents.

In this regard, al-Ani said that al-Tawafuk delegation will discuss with the coalition delegation "nominating their candidate for the presidency of the next government." He added that his front waits proposals by the coalition "in the question of nominating a new candidate to preside over the government."

In another development, the coalition bloc proposed to the Iraqi presidency convening the first session for the parliament on March 17 instead of 19 because it coincides with celebrating the 40th of Imam al-Hussein.

Previous Stories:
  IRAQ: TV presenter murdered, station attacked and threatened for its reporting   (3/10/2006)
  On the agreement to convene the Iraqi parliament   (3/10/2006)
  Syria eager for Iraq's unity, vice president says   (3/10/2006)

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