Iraqi Lawmakers End Months of Deadlock
Shi’ite al-Maliki Named as PM, Sunnis and Kurds get other top posts
Four months of political paralysis lifted on Saturday when a newly convened parliament chose seven top officials to run Iraq’s first long-term government since the fall of Saddam Hussein.In a largely ceremonial meeting at Baghdad’s convention center, the parliament picked Jawad al-Maliki, an outspoken advocate for the country’s Shiite Muslim majority, to serve as Iraq’s prime minister for the next four years. Maliki, an experienced politician in his mid-fifties, faces the task of mending a nation nearly shattered by decades of war, dictatorship and sectarian rivalry.
Iraq’s parliament elected Areef Taifor as second deputy speaker, Mahmoud al-Meshhedani as speaker and Khaled Atea as first deputy speaker.
“The great thing will be if I succeed in cementing national unity and regaining security, stability and services,” Maliki said at a news conference that followed the parliament’s meeting. “We have been able to accomplish several things today, and with these accomplishments we shall complete the building of the new Iraq on the basis of freedom, equality and plurality for all.”The parliament voted to approve Maliki and six others nominated by leaders of Iraq’s most powerful political blocs on the basis of a delicate balance among Shiites, Kurds and Sunni Arabs. President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, will retain his post in the new government, and Mahmoud al-Meshhedani, a Sunni Arab, was elected as the parliament’s speaker.
General: Iraqi security needs 12-18 months
Rice, Straw turn up heat on Jaafari
More Shiites against Jaafari
Iraq Casualties Down Dramatically
‘arbitrary date’ bad. ‘general time horizon’ good.