Love, exciting and newCome aboard, we're expecting you
Baghdad (AFP) -- Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called on all Iraqis on Saturday to unite aboard what he called a "love boat" in a stirring appeal for reconciliation in the war-torn nation. "The security in Iraq has settled down at a level that allowed the leaders of the tribes to come from everywhere," Maliki told a conference of Sunni and Shiite tribal figures in the capital.
Love, life's sweetest reward
Let it flow, it floats back to you
"National reconciliation has become a principle that we depend on ... I invite everyone to stay in the boat of national reconciliation, the boat of fraternity, love, justice and equality that will lead us to the shore of safety," he said.
The Love Boat soon will be making another run
The Love Boat promises something for everyone
The prime minister, a Shiite, has issued repeated calls for unity in the US-occupied country, but rarely using such colourful language. "This conference is the message of national unity for all sides," Maliki said, adding that he wanted to send out a "message of reconciliation for those who boycotted Iraq, because of the sectarian problems."
Set a course for adventure
Your mind on a new romance
Security has improved dramatically since sectarian violence between Shiites and Sunnis peaked in late 2007, although bombings remain a daily occurrence nationwide. In a Friday call for national unity Maliki urged the country to forgive members of the former regime of executed dictator Saddam Hussein."We have to reconcile with those who were during a period time forced to work in those difficult times," he told a meeting of only Shiite tribes.
And love won't hurt anymore
It's an open smile on a friendly shore
"We must open a new phase and gather all our energy and unify our words until no gap remains for our enemies to infiltrate us."
It's love
Welcome aboard
It's love!