Kerry urges political reform in Iraq
Kerry urges political reform in Iraq
6-23-14
Ammar al-Hakim, right, head of the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, meets with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, in Baghdad on Monday, June 23, 2014. Kerry flew to Baghdad on Monday to meet with Iraq’s leaders and personally urge the Shiite-led government to give more power to political opponents before a Sunni insurgency seizes more control across the country and sweeps away hopes for lasting peace.
BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the fate of Iraq may be decided over the next week and is largely dependent on whether its leaders meet a deadline for starting to build a new government.
Kerry on Monday met with top officials from Iraq’s bitterly divided Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political coalitions during a quick trip to Baghdad.
He said each of the Iraqi officials — including Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (NOO’-ree ahl-MAHL’-ih-kee) — committed to seat the new parliament by July 1 as the constitution requires.
Iraq’s leaders have in the past delayed decisions on how to divide power.
Al-Maliki is facing growing calls for his resignation as disgruntled Sunnis say they do not believe he will give them a greater voice in the government.
ledger-enquirer.com
