| Submit your comments on this article |
| Iraq |
| Iraq govt accepts deputy PM resignation |
| 2009-08-21 |
| [Al Arabiya Latest] The Iraqi government on Thursday officially accepted the resignation of one of its two deputy prime ministers, Barham Saleh, who plans to become premier of the autonomous region of Kurdistan. "Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki emphasized the brotherly relations and good work which will be the basis for (future) contacts with Barham Saleh in the interests of Iraqi people," said a government statement confirming Saleh's departure. Saleh has been seen by Western diplomats as one of the most progressive and professional members of the Iraqi government in which he has been a central part of a recent push to attract foreign investment to the war-torn country. However, a deal struck before July 25 elections in Kurdistan, which saw Iraqi Kurdish president Massud Barzani comfortably re-elected to his post, has paved the way for Saleh to become the northern region's prime minister. The Kurdish alliance composed of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Barzani and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, won parliamentary polls held on the same day as presidential voting. Saleh is a leading figure in the PUK and played a key role in campaigning in last month's elections. A statement from Saleh said he was proud to have worked with the government and was sorry to be leaving but "national and political duty" had pulled him back to Kurdistan. "I hope that my transition from Baghdad to Kurdistan will be a new opportunity to contribute... to serve the best interests of our homeland, and to face the challenges," it added. Iraqi premier Maliki is a member of the country's Shiite Arab majority. Prior to Saleh's resignation he had two deputies -- Saleh for the Kurds and Rafa al-Essawi for the Sunni Arabs. |
| Posted by:Fred |