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BAGHDAD, Iraq -
Iraqi political leaders said Sunday the new
parliament will convene Thursday, three days earlier
than initially announced, as the U.S. ambassador
stepped up efforts to broker the end of a stalemate
over the formation of a unity government.
While moving the first session of parliament forward
suggested some progress, none of those present
suggested any breakthrough had been made in the
deadlock over forming a new government comprising
Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds, a precondition for U.S.
hopes to start withdrawing some forces this summer.
Standing side by side, U.S. Ambassador Zalmay
Khalilzad, President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, and
Shiite leader Adbul-Aziz al-Hakim made the
announcement after a 90-minute meeting with the
leaders of Iraq's many political and ethnic blocs.
The decision came just two days after Talabani
issued a decree calling parliament into session for
the first time since Dec. 15 elections on March 19.
The politicians said parliament would instead
convene Thursday.
Bomb blasts, rocket and gunfire killed at least 16
people — most in Baghdad. The low thud of mortar
fire rumbled over the capital.
Separately, the U.S. Embassy issued an order
prohibiting government employees from using
commercial airlines leaving the capital's
international airport, citing a "recent security
incident."
Khalilzad said a permanent government needed to be
in place quickly because of the continuing effort by
"terrorists to provoke sectarian conflict. To deal
with the need on an urgent basis (we must) form a
government of national unity."
Talabani called Sunday's meeting "fruitful" and said
leaders would continue to sit down together daily
until parliament convenes. Khalilzad said he would
be available at any time to join the sessions.
Discussions have focused on disagreement over
whether to approve al-Jaafari for a second term.
Al-Hakim, head of the powerful Shiite Supreme
Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, said
forming a government was imperative.
"We have to get Iraq out of the situation it is in
now," al-Hakim said.
The issue appeared to take on added urgency days
before key military leaders were expected to make
recommendations on the withdrawal of U.S. forces in
meetings with President Bush in Washington.
Adnan al-Dulaimi, leader of the largest Sunni bloc
and Adnan Pachachi, a secular Sunni representing
Ayad Allawi, a Shiite and former prime minister,
also attended the meeting at Kurdish Democratic
Party headquarters in the heavily fortified Green
Zone. Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a Shiite,
was not there but met earlier Sunday with Talabani.
The convening of parliament will start a 60-day
clock on electing a new president, approving a prime
minister and signing off on his Cabinet.
AP
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