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Talabani rejects incomplete cabinet, Al-Sadr
supports the new government
16.5.2006
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BAGHDAD, Iraqi
President Jalal Talabani insisted yesterday he would
not accept the formation of an “incomplete”
government, with the key interior and defence
ministry posts still undecided five months to the
day since the country’s landmark election.
Talabani rejected calls for the defence and interior
posts to be filled temporarily to end the
long-running political deadlock, as Shias, Sunnis
and Kurds jostle for power. “The presidency does not
wish to see the presentation of an incomplete
government lacking the defence and interior posts,”
he said.
Prime minister-designate Nuri Al Maliki, a Shia, has
until May 21 to announce his cabinet.
“There is an agreement that these two ministries
should go to independents on which all party lists
agree,” Talabani said, adding: “God willing, the new
national unity government will be announced before
the end of the week.”
On Sunday, Bahaa Al Aaraji, an MP close to Shia
leader Moqtada Al Sadr, said Maliki would keep the
interior and defence portfolios in his own hands for
the time being.
In an important concession from the Sunni Arab bloc,
Sunni Vice President Tariq Al Hashemi said defence
should go to a Sunni member of the secular party of
Shia former interim prime minister Iyad Allawi,
whose members include both sects.
“The interior ministry should go to a Shia but he
should be approved by all the other lists,” Hashemi
said. “The defence ministry should go to Allawi’s
list and should be approved by everybody.” |
Iraqi
President : Jalal Talabani, a Kurd
Photo: Military
Shiite cleric Moktada al-Sadr |
Meanwhile Shiite leader Moqtada Al-Sadr said in a
phone conversation with Iraqi President Jalal
Talbani on Monday night that he supports the new
government and is willing to strengthen relations
with the Kurdish alliance.
Al-Sadr said in a statement, on the conversation,
that he intends to send a delegation to the
Kurdistani region to improve relations.
President Talbani clarified to Al-Sadr the truth
about recent comments made by the Kurdistan
President Massoud Barazani in Kuwait.
He also called for the establishment of a joint
Kurdistani-Al-Sadr committee to help build a new and
developed Iraq.
AFP | KUNA
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