Al-Jaafari, al-Hakeem review reconciliation with Baathists

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Former Premier Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the head of the National Reform Movement, on Tuesday received at his office in Baghdad, the chairman of the Shahid al-Mihrab Foundation, Ammar al-Hakeem and his accompanying delegation, with whom he discussed the national reconciliation with the Baathists. “The meeting tackled the latest developments and the political process, as well as the coming challenges,” said a statement released from al-Jaafari’s office and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The two also discussed the national reconciliation with Baathists,” it added. Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called for a reconciliation with, and forgiveness of, the Baath party members. Maliki called for the reconciliation of the nation during a tribal leaders meeting in the Rashid hotel in Baghdad, saying, “We must reconcile with those who were obliged to be members of Baath party in the past. They are Iraqis and sons of this country.” Trying to bring back the national unity to the Iraqi people, Maliki believes that reconciliation of the nation is an urgent demand that helps in the continuation of the reconstruction phase. SH (S)/SR 1