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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Cabinet setback as Iraqi MPs quit | Cabinet setback as Iraqi MPs quit |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Five Iraqi MPs have announced a boycott of cabinet meetings, deepening the political crisis and leaving the unity government without any Sunni members. | |
| The ministers, who are loyal to former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, blamed what they said was the Shia-led government's failure to end sectarian favouritism. | The ministers, who are loyal to former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, blamed what they said was the Shia-led government's failure to end sectarian favouritism. |
| The Iraqiya List ministers included Sunni and Shia Muslims and a Christian. | The Iraqiya List ministers included Sunni and Shia Muslims and a Christian. |
| Iraq's largest Sunni-Arab bloc, the Accordance Front, withdrew six ministers from the cabinet last week. | Iraq's largest Sunni-Arab bloc, the Accordance Front, withdrew six ministers from the cabinet last week. |
| So far this year, 17 government ministers - nearly half of the cabinet - have either suspended their participation or quit. | |
| The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says it is a serious setback for any attempts at reconciliation between Shia and Sunni factions. | The BBC's Andy Gallacher in Baghdad says it is a serious setback for any attempts at reconciliation between Shia and Sunni factions. |
| Our correspondent says the latest events leave the administration of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki looking more fragile than ever. | Our correspondent says the latest events leave the administration of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki looking more fragile than ever. |
| Iraqi MPs are not due to return to parliament until early September when their holidays end. |