Meeting of Political Blocs opens with 3 leaders absent

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The meeting of Iraq’s Political Blocs opened at the residence of President Jalal Talabani, with the absence of Kurdistan Region’s President, Massoud Barzani, al-Iraqiya bloc’s Leader, Iyad Allawi and the Parliament’s Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify. Allawi had excused his absence from the meeting as he is presently in London due to health conditions, as he said in a phone call with President Jalal Talabani, according to a presidential statement on Sunday. The Leader in the Kurdistan Alliance, Mahmoud Othman, told IraqiNews.com news agency that the meeting of the Political Blocs would be held on Monday, reiterating that the meeting “would take place to complete the Arbil Initiative and to implement its remaining points.”   Differences between al-Iraqiya bloc, led by Iyad Allawi and the State of Law Alliance, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, had escalated after the demonstrations that took place in central Baghdad’s al-Tahrir Square on Friday June 10th, where demonstrators demanding an end to corruption and the resignation of the current government, for “its failure to steer the administration of the country,” were attacked by elements, the demonstrators described as “government’s supporters.” Maliki had launched a strong attack on June 10th against Prime Minister Maliki, accusing him with having gained Iran’s support to stay in power as Prime Minister, as well as attacking Maliki’s Al-Daawa Party, whilst the Party had announced to raise a court case against Allawi for his charges. SKH (TI)/sr   618