Iraqi national reconciliation

Nuri al-Maliki has had to strike a deal with a new coalition to secure his survival [AFP]

Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, has made repeated attempts at a reconciliation programme that will foster unity among Iraq’s divided ethnic, sectarian and political factions.

But so far, his efforts have backfired. 

Al-Maliki’s government is crumbling, as one coalition after another walks out. There are currently 17 government ministries without a leader at the helm.

To secure his survival, al-Maliki has had to strike a deal with a new coalition that includes the Shia-based Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, and the two main Kurdish parties.

But Iraq’s Sunni Arabs, as well as other powerful Shia blocs, are notably absent from this coalition.

Support for al-Maliki in Iraq’s parliament remains slender and some legislators are seeking a no-confidence vote to remove him.

Inside Iraq this week discusses the critical issue of Iraqi national reconciliation.

Our guests this week are:

Dr Sami Ramadani, a lecturer at London Metropolitan University, Dr Mahmoud Osman, a member of the Iraqi National Assembly, and Dr Mohammad Abu Nimr, a professor at the American University in DC. 

Watch this episode of Inside Iraq here:

Part 1:

Part 2:

This episode of Inside Iraq aired from 28th September 2007

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