maliki

Iran Ties Weaken Government Further

Inter Press Service
By Ali al-Fadhily*

BAGHDAD, Aug 13 (IPS) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's increasing ties with Iran have triggered a splintering of his government.

Several groups, both Sunni and Shia, have followed the Sunni al-Tawafuq bloc (Iraqi Accord Front) in quitting the U.S.-backed government. But Maliki refuses to make the concessions necessary to bring his "unity" government back together.

Spokesman Iyad Jamaliddin said on behalf of the Iraqi National List led by former interim prime minister Iyad Allawi that the ministers of his group would now boycott government meetings. The party claims both Shia and Sunni following.