AP: PM orders lawmakers to be loyal to Iraq

[Eugene]

Posted on Sun, Nov. 12, 2006

PM orders lawmakers to be loyal to Iraq
QASSIM ABDUL-ZAHRA
Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ordered lawmakers on Sunday
to declare their loyalty to a unified Iraq - not their religious sects or political
parties, two members of parliament told The Associated Press.

Al-Maliki, who also said a government reshuffle was in the works, was
responding to questions by lawmakers during Sunday's closed session of
parliament.

In a statement afterward, al-Maliki's office said he used the meeting to outline
Iraq's political and security situation and plans for bringing stability to the
country.

-snip-

Dhafer al-Ani, of the Sunni Iraqi Accordance Front, told The Associated Press
later that al-Maliki's comments "were disappointing because they were sidelining
(Sunnis) and included threats."

-snip-

Al-Ani said al-Maliki blamed raging violence on Sunni extremists and followers of
Saddam Hussein and failed to accept blame for Shiite militias.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/15995927.htm

[jody]

1. And the lawmakers said

[rodeodance]

2. changing centuries of loyality to their tribes will take decades (if then)