National Alliance doesn't need to implement all Erbil meeting demands within 15 days, says Ahrar leader


14/05/2012 14:16


BAGHDAD, May 14 (AKnews) - The 15-day deadline specified in the letter by leaders during their meeting in Erbil does not require the National Alliance (NA) to enforce all of the demands within the period, but the bloc should announce that it accepts the demands and will enforce them, said the head of Ahrar bloc.

The Erbil letter that was sent to the NA contains a condition, a clear condition related to a 15-day deadline, said head of Ahrar bloc Baha al-Aaraji.

He said the deadline is not for enforcing all of the demands because some of them need time and "some require only 15 minutes for being resolved."

Kurdistan's President Massoud Barzani, Iraqiya List leader Ayad Allawi and Sadr Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr sent the letter after they met in Erbil with President Jalal Talabani 10 days ago.

The leaders warned they would withdraw their confidence if PM Maliki continued "unilateral" ruling and overlooked the political agreements. The 15-day deadline they announced for Maliki will end on Friday.

Aaraji said the parties expect the NA to accept what is required in the letter.

He said the NA rather than Maliki should declare its intention to comply with the demands "because the letter was sent to the NA and it's responsible for nominating Maliki and forming the government.

"Maliki is still NA's candidate for the post and we believe that the issues of Iraq will not all resolve with the Erbil letter but it's key for solving all of them."

The letter contained eight demands and warned that if the demands were not met, the leaders will demand withdrawing confidence from Maliki within 15 days.

Maliki said in response that he is working according to the constitution and warned he will suspend the constitution, dissolve the government and order early elections.

Barzani, Allawi and Sadr have all accused Maliki of sidelining partners. They have all warned that they will not accept the return of dictatorship to Baghdad.

Maliki is mainly criticized for ignoring the Erbil agreement, proposed by Barzani.

The agreement ended a nine-month dispute over who should run the government following March 2010's elections. The deal, which was signed by all the major political party leaders in Erbil, reinstated Maliki for the second successive term.

Maliki's elections rival, Allawi, whose Iraqiya List won the elections, was promised a National Council for Strategic Policies in return for his concession over the PM post. The council was not formed and the PM's State of Law Coalition and Iraqiya began incriminating and accusing each other of violating the Erbil pact.

By Raman Brusk

RN/DM/AKnews

https://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/306948/