BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Tuesday the withdrawal of ministers loyal to ShiÂ’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr had not weakened his government and he would name technocrats to replace them soon.| "Nope, nope, not a drop of blood spilled, nope ..." |
Maliki said the appointment of technocrats would help the government “escape from (sectarian) quotas and also helps in choosing ministers who are professionals and politicians”. “In the near future, the names of the ministers will be announced ... from the independents, technocrats and those who believe in a new Iraq,” Maliki said.
MalikiÂ’s administration is dominated by sectarian parties drawn from the countryÂ’s ShiÂ’ite, Sunni Arab and Kurdish groups. Iraqis have long complained that the sectarian makeup of the national unity government has hindered Maliki, forcing him to tread carefully to keep his various constituencies happy, and turned ministries into personal fiefdoms of political blocs.
Analysts had said they did not expect the walkout to affect the day-to-day performance of MalikiÂ’s government since the ministers did not hold any key portfolios, but it could increase pressure on him to draw up a troop withdrawal timetable, a demand of many
| Many of these Iraqis would be pleading for us to return if we leave too early. |