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Iraqi PM calls for crisis summit | Iraqi PM calls for crisis summit |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has called for a summit of the nation's main political factions in an attempt to break Iraq's political paralysis. | Iraq's Prime Minister, Nouri Maliki, has called for a summit of the nation's main political factions in an attempt to break Iraq's political paralysis. |
In recent weeks almost all Sunni members of the cabinet have quit. Others are boycotting meetings, leaving at least 17 cabinet seats empty. | In recent weeks almost all Sunni members of the cabinet have quit. Others are boycotting meetings, leaving at least 17 cabinet seats empty. |
Many of them have accused Mr Maliki, a Shia Muslim, of ignoring their demands. | |
A BBC correspondent says the crisis is worrying for the US, which wants to see progress before withdrawing troops. | A BBC correspondent says the crisis is worrying for the US, which wants to see progress before withdrawing troops. |
"I have called the political leaders for a meeting to discuss the main issues in the political process. The first meeting may happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Mr Maliki announced on Sunday. | "I have called the political leaders for a meeting to discuss the main issues in the political process. The first meeting may happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow," Mr Maliki announced on Sunday. |
A senior Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani, has already arrived in Baghdad for the talks. | A senior Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani, has already arrived in Baghdad for the talks. |
It is expected he will play a key role in the negotiations, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Baghdad. | It is expected he will play a key role in the negotiations, says the BBC's Richard Galpin in Baghdad. |
In particular he will try to get the Sunni parties to decide whether to rejoin the government or go into opposition. | In particular he will try to get the Sunni parties to decide whether to rejoin the government or go into opposition. |
Coalition weakened | Coalition weakened |
Many Iraqi MPs are not in the Iraqi capital at present because parliament is in its summer recess, which does not end until next month. | Many Iraqi MPs are not in the Iraqi capital at present because parliament is in its summer recess, which does not end until next month. |
Mr Maliki has been unable to push forward with his plans for national reconciliation without the support of the country's various factions. | Mr Maliki has been unable to push forward with his plans for national reconciliation without the support of the country's various factions. |
The so-called national unity government has effectively disintegrated, says our correspondent. | |
Arabs, your brothers... are exposed to an unprecedented genocide campaign by the militias... supported by Iran Adnan al-DulaimiIraq Accord Front | |
The main Sunni bloc, the Iraq Accord Front, pulled out on 1 August. | |
Last week, another five ministers, loyal to former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, began a boycott. | |
And the Shia followers of cleric Moqtada Sadr withdrew months ago. | |
But despite summoning leaders from all sides for talks, there is no indication that Mr Maliki is willing to make any concessions towards them, Richard Galpin says. | |
Mr Maliki said he wanted Sunni Arabs to play a role, but warned that if the Accord Front was not ready to rejoin, he would bring in others. | |
"There are people who have come forward and offered to be an alternative," the prime minister said. | |
There was speculation he could be referring to tribal sheikhs in western Iraq who have allied with the government and led a Sunni backlash against al-Qaeda insurgents. | |
Outburst at Iran | |
Saleem Jubouri, a senior member of the Accord Front, told Reuters the group had no plans to return to government but remained committed to dialogue. | |
However, the leader of the Accord Front, Adnan al-Dulaimi, launched a broadside against Shia links with Iran in an email to the Associated Press. | |
He alleged there was "an unprecedented genocide campaign by the militias and death squads that are directed, armed and supported by Iran". | |
Countless murders have been carried out against Sunnis by Shia death squads, forcing Sunnis to flee whole districts of Baghdad. | |
Iran has denied similar accusations from the US that it has armed or trained the militias. | |
Iraqi Sunni parties have complained that Mr Maliki is too close to Iran, and Mr Dulaimi's email arrived only a day after Mr Maliki returned from a visit there. | |
Sunnis are not the only victims of Iraq's sectarian violence. Thousands of Shia have been killed and wounded in Sunni militant bomb attacks. |
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