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Iraqiya tries again at defense post
Published: May 24, 2011 at 2:41 PM
BAGHDAD, May 24 (UPI) -- The State of Law party in Iraq said Tuesday a former prime minister submitted new candidates for the country's defense minister.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki secured the parliamentary majority needed to form a new government early this year but has been unable to fill his Cabinet.
Iraqiya, a Sunni-backed party led by former interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, is jockeying for several of the most influential positions in the new government.
An official in Maliki's State of Law party told the Voices of Iraq news agency that Iraqiya presented two names as candidates for defense minister from the ranks of the Iraqi military.
The official said there wasn't any agreement on the candidates but they would be presented to Maliki if they pass through a vetting committee.
Iraqiya and State of Law have been at odds over the makeup of the new government since Maliki secured the majority. Iraqiya won parliamentary elections in March 2010 but was unable to form a coalition government.
Maliki has threatened to dissolve the government if the stalemate continues.
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Published: May 24, 2011 at 2:41 PM
BAGHDAD, May 24 (UPI) -- The State of Law party in Iraq said Tuesday a former prime minister submitted new candidates for the country's defense minister.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki secured the parliamentary majority needed to form a new government early this year but has been unable to fill his Cabinet.
Iraqiya, a Sunni-backed party led by former interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, is jockeying for several of the most influential positions in the new government.
An official in Maliki's State of Law party told the Voices of Iraq news agency that Iraqiya presented two names as candidates for defense minister from the ranks of the Iraqi military.
The official said there wasn't any agreement on the candidates but they would be presented to Maliki if they pass through a vetting committee.
Iraqiya and State of Law have been at odds over the makeup of the new government since Maliki secured the majority. Iraqiya won parliamentary elections in March 2010 but was unable to form a coalition government.
Maliki has threatened to dissolve the government if the stalemate continues.
Read more: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
