(VOI) – Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said on Saturday that he would form a new party under his leadership to "renounce the sectarian quota system and fight the militias," terming as "humiliating" the long-term Iraq-U.S. agreement. "An Islah (Reform) Party under my leadership was announced today. The new party will see the participation of a number of figures from all blocs and political parties with the aim of renouncing sectarianism and fighting the militias," Jaafari said on Saturday in a press conference attended by Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI).
Jaafari criticized the long-term Iraq-U.S. agreement, noting "I renounce the humiliating agreement between Iraq and the United States." A declaration of principles was signed between U.S. President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in December 2007. The declaration was planned to be ratified on July 31, 2008 to be effective as of January 1, 2009. The agreement governs the U.S. forces' presence in Iraq after the year 2008. This presence currently relies on a mandate by the UN, renewed annually upon the request of the Iraqi government. Jaafari is a member of the Islamic Dawa Party, to which incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. |