Irbil: Iraq's Prime Minister on Saturday said he is still seeking Cabinet nominations from the country's top politicians, signalling he likely will not form a new government much earlier than the December 25 deadline.
Nouri al-Maliki, a Shi’ite Muslim, had pledged to announce his new government by December 15 and end the political deadlock that began after Parliamentary Elections in March failed to produce a clear winner. The delay announced yesterday reflects al-Maliki's struggle to cobble together an inclusive government.
But al-Maliki assured political leaders that he remains committed to meeting a 30-day constitutional deadline, ending December 25, to bring together Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish factions in a government that can overcome enduring sectarian tensions, and appealed for their help to do so.
"I call upon all blocs to quickly present their candidates," al-Maliki said at a meeting of the Kurdish Democratic Party, promising to announce Iraq's new leadership by December 25.
He also warned politicians not to get distracted with "marginal issues" since the clock is ticking.
"We are facing a constitutional deadline and we will not tolerate exceeding it," he said.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 12, 2010, 09:29