Oil, gas for people – PM

NINEWA / IraqiNews.com: The Iraqi Premier Nouri al-Maliki on Thursday, from Mosul city, said that oil and gas are the property of the Iraqi people, attributing all the country’s problems to “sectarianism.” “Oil and gas revenues should be distributed among provinces based on population and merits,” al-Maliki said in a speech addressed to a crowd of people in Mosul where he arrived this morning. “Sectarianism is the root of the problems in Iraq,” he added. “Iraq cannot be divided on two, and no one can confiscate others right, because all are equal before Iraq and the constitution,” he explained. “Iraq is greater than a party, sect or race affiliation,” he proceeded. “This the realty and the one who wants to change it will regret their decision,” he noted. “Democracy is the actual frame that allows every citizen to express their views,” he said “If we guarantee unity to preserve Iraq’s sovereignty, we should not fear external intervention,” he asserted. MH (P)/SR 1