UN to play a role in Iraq’s political stalemate

UN to play a role in Iraq’s political stalemate
Monday, July 26th 2010


Erbil, July 26 (AKnews) – An Iraqi Kurdish lawmaker said on Monday that the United Nations’ Security Council may interfere in the process of government formation in Iraq if the country’s political factions fail to reach an agreement soon.

Parliament member Mahmoud Othman told AKnews that the United Nations’ Secretary General is also expected to issue a statement on the current political deadlock in Iraq.

He said that the UN will also discuss efforts to end Iraq’s Chapter 7 status in an upcoming meeting of the Security Council. But he said the international body is not likely to exert “meaningful pressure” on Iraqi political parties on setting up a new government.

Iraq has been placed under the UN Chapter 7 status since its invasion of Kuwait in 1990. According to the chapter, Iraq is still recognized a threat against international peace and security.

More than four months after the country's parliamentary elections, Iraqi political groups have not been able yet to form a new government.

Meanwhile, Haidar Mullah, a parliamentarian from al-Iraqiya bloc, expressed his wish for the UN to play a role to help Iraqis get out of the current political crisis.

But he also called on Iraqi groups to come up with an agreement on their own, because UN efforts might negatively impact the situation in the country.

Iraqi lawmakers will meet tomorrow and may elect a speaker and two deputies.

Al-Iraqiya came in first place during the country’s parliamentary elections last March with 91 seats. Current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition ended up second with 89 seats. The Iraqi national Alliance, dominated by Muqtada Sadr’s group, came third with 71 seats. A coalition of Kurdish groups came forth with 57 seats.

http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/4/167692