Iraqi political blocs support al-Maliki

Washington Times ^ | April 11, 2008 | Kim Gamel

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (center) talks with lawmakers about the security situation in the southern city of Basra during a meeting yesterday in Baghdad.

BAGHDAD — Iraq's prime minister got a show of support from political leaders of both Muslim sects at a meeting yesterday as he moved to isolate anti-U.S. Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his followers.

Sadrist lawmakers warned that the government's effort against them could backfire even as fighting between Shi'ite militants and U.S.-Iraq forces eased after days of fierce clashes in Baghdad's Sadr City district.

The fighting has taken its toll on all sides. The U.S. military announced that an American soldier was killed by a roadside bomb Wednesday in Central Baghdad, raising to 18 the number of Americans who died in Iraq the first 10 days of April.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shi'ite, convened the meeting of the main political blocs to discuss the Iraqi-led crackdown on militias that began March 25 in the southern city of Basra, triggering the current crisis.

The notable absence of the Sadrists signaled that Mr. al-Maliki was making good on a threat to try to isolate the movement politically if its Mahdi Army militia is not disbanded.

The Sadrists said they were not invited to the meeting.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

fyi

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

Wait! Wait!!!

I thought Pelosi told you “ NOT to bring us any good news from Iraq.!”

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

LOL!

[Rudder]

...support from political leaders of both Muslim sects...

I take it that these are the two with the Kotex hats.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

WRONG !!

those are jackie kennedy leftover pillbox hats!!!

[Marine_Uncle]

Sadr is in the deep dodo. With more political factions willing to work with Maliki, Sadr no longer is an important element.
Once the upcoming provincial elections are held, and if at least a partial success from the view point of the process working with minimal election fraud etc., the notch for Iraqi may be bumped up a step in their confidence this new democracy is worth fighting for as well as compromising with.
I still think Maliki has to get on the public circuit and keep hammering in that if all lay down their arms and join in the new system they all will gain in the end.
These people have to be told what to do. And what is in their best interest. They need a leader that is willing to spell out in various frameworks why they all have a stack in their future.
Only the real malcontents will continue to resist. Like during the WWII years, Americans could expect frequent fire side chats by FDR, Maliki and some of his folks should be speaking directly to the Iraqi on a regular basis. Connect with the masses. Praise them for what some of them are doing that is good, and shame those that continue to cause bloodshed etc..

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks E.

[Merta]

It is great to see the PM and other people around the table laughing it up in good fun with all of the doom and gloom the MSM presents of Iraq, they are feeling the first tastes of liberty and are loving it.

I also notice the beautiful table and painting behind PM Maliki. Just showing the picture not only shows true bipartisanship(hear that Obama?) but the good news that people of all creeds can get together in one building without killing each other.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lot's more work to do,...it's not clear what the Iranian's next move will be now that their Hezbollah strategy lies exposed.

[Marine_Uncle]

I agree fully. Iran cannot plead innocent regarding charges brought forth against them. Years of accumulated verified accurate reports on their behavior are known to the world.