Barham Saleh urges political blocs to support al-Maliki

ARBIL / IraqiNews.com: Prime Minister of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, Barham Saleh, called on all political blocs in Iraq on Wednesday to support Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his government. Speaking to reporters in Arbil, the premier said “the new government will face real challenges and all political blocs have to support it to render it a success.” After more than nine months of political deadlock and wrangling, parliament in separate votes gave its approval to Maliki, three deputy prime ministers and 29 other cabinet ministers, as well as the government program. And it approved interim ministers for the remaining nine cabinet posts, with Maliki controlling the three security portfolios. SH (P) 31