Kurdish - Shiite agreement fails

Current discussions have failed between the two Shiite and Kurdish blocs in reaching an agreement that pleases the two parties on forming a new Iraqi government.

Prominent members from the two blocs said on Sunday that talks were held between leaders representing the two sides to form the new Iraqi government collapsed three days before the first plenary meeting for the elected Iraqi National Assembly.

The failure of the two blocs, which together enjoy the majority of the two thirds needed to form a government, to reach an agreement might cause uncertainty in the political climate in Iraq and slow the efforts aiming to improve security and the rebuilding of the country.

These development came after press releases said that the Iraqi national assembly which was elected on January 30 will hold its first meeting next Wednesday at the Conferences Palace building in the Green Zone amid strong security conditions..

The Iraqi official daily al-Sabah said that the Green Zone and streets leading to it will be totally closed in the coming days, while all workers in the establishments taking this area as a headquarters will take a leave especially the Cabinet, the commission in charge of exterminating the Baath Party, the elections commission, the special court and the ministries of housing and foreign affairs.