Sunni Arab Bloc Quits Iraqi Government

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

Iraq's largest Sunni Arab political bloc announced its withdrawal from the government Wednesday, undermining Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's efforts to seek reconciliation among the country's rival factions.

Violence continued unabated, with 17 civilians killed in a car bomb in central Baghdad and the U.S. military announcing the deaths of three American soldiers killed by a sophisticated, armor-piercing bomb.

Rafaa al-Issawi, a leading member of the Front, said at a news conference in the capital that the bloc's six Cabinet ministers would submit their resignations later in the day.

Al-Issawi said the decision to pull out from the government followed what he called al-Maliki's failure to respond to a set of demands put forward by the Accordance Front last week, when it gave the prime minister seven days to meet its demands.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6820093,00.html

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Crisis for Iraq govt after Sunnis quit -dep PM
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L01760083.htm

[UKProPeace]

1. Yep, that "hearts and minds" campaign is really going well isn't it eom

[lapfog_1]

2. No! No! NO!

Didn't you get the memo???

The surge is WORKING! We are finally getting some results! al-Maliki and Petreous are getting along fabulously!

nothin to see here. move along.

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[dmosh42]

4. Yes, maybe another 20,000 troops are needed......

to make them believe in their Democracy!

[Old and In the Way]

3. Those Saudi's sure are helping their favorite chump in Iraq, aren't they?

Then, I also wonder if that $20BB arms deal is setting the table to allow the Sauds to take the military point on the Iraqi oilfields?

[Supersedeas]

5. Nothing to see here -- back to the celebrity news

[rocktivity]

6. Candidate for this month's "You Call This NEWS?" Award

For the two millionth time, I wish we had access to the 2002 pre-invasion DU posts. People were predicting that is how things would turn out even then!

:headbang:
rocknation

[cal04]

7. Bombs rock Baghdad, killing 70, as unity government crumbles

Thunderous car bomb blasts echoed around Baghdad on Wednesday, killing at least 70 people, as Iraq's national unity coalition collapsed under the weight of sectarian tensions.

New government figures also revealed civilian deaths in the country rose by one third last month, dealing a further blow to a five-month-old security plan designed to stabilise Baghdad and allow for reconciliation.

(snip)
As the explosions rumbled across the city, ministers from the Concord Front, Iraq's largest Sunni bloc, resigned from the ruling coalition and effectively ended its claim to be a government of national unity.

"The Front announces its withdrawal from the government of Nuri al-Maliki and the deputy prime minister and the ministers will submit their resignation today," said Rafie al-Issawi, minister of state for foreign affairs.

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/Bombs_rock_Baghdad_killing_70_as_un_08012007.html