Political tension in Iraq, call for unity government

Reactions continued in Iraq regarding the rejection expressed by the Iraqi political forces to the announced partial results of the legislative elections which took place last week in Iraq, and according to which the Shiite coalition have received the greater majority, while the Iraqi Tawafuq Sunni list came second.

In this regard, the chairman of the United Iraqi Coalition, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, expressed his regret over the rejection of certain groups of the declared results by the higher commission for the elections.

Al-Hakim said following his meeting with the Shiite clergy Ayatullah Ali al-Seistani in Najaf city, south of Baghdad, that it is the right of every side to disregard in the results, however, these regrettable and unjustified stances, and the threats that started by some in this regard "a bad sign."

Some 35 forces taking part in the elections including Sunni, Shiite and secular groups rejected the partial results of the Iraqi parliamentary elections and called on the international community to refuse them and form a national salvation government.

Among the sides rejecting these results are the Sunni al-Tawafuq Front, the National List chaired by former prime minister Eyad Allawi, the National Dialogue Front led by Saleh al-Mutlaq, the Turkman Front, the Parliament Of The National Forces and the former defense minister Hazem al-Shalan.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the 35 forces decided in a meeting at the headquarters of the al-Wifaq (reconciliation) movement to refuse the elections and make other alternative one. The statement also called for desolving the Higher Commission For The Elections and form a National Salvation Front and solving the armed militias.