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Iraqi factions agree on cabinet bylaws
 Iraqi political parties reached an agreement on Sunday on the bylaws for the functioning of the next government, Iraqi President Jalal Talabanis office announced in a statement. The decision marks the second achievement in as many days from the contentious negotiating sessions to form a coalition government, nearly four months after a landmark national election. It followed the announcement on Saturday of a compromise on Iraqs security file.Before the back-to-back breakthroughs, talks on forming a unity government among Shia, Sunni and Kurdish parties had been deadlocked. Talabanis office said that a two-thirds cabinet majority would be required for any decisions on the national budget, financial agreements, contracts over 50 million dollars, border issues, security, high-ranking military promotions and questions concerning national sovereignty. Any issues involving the presence of US-led coalition forces in Iraq would also require a two-thirds cabinet majority. The requirement for more than a simple majority dilutes the power of the dominant conservative Shia bloc which holds nearly half the seats in the 275-member parliament. Posted by: Fred 2006-04-03 |
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