Sadr discusses government formation with U.N. representative in Iraq
Muqtada al-Sadr.
Najaf (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Shia cleric and popular leader Muqtada al-Sadr met Saturday with the outgoing United Nations representative in Iraq, Jan Kubis, to discuss efforts to form the next Iraqi government.
“Sayyed Muqtada Al-Sadr received today in Najaf UN Special Representative for Iraq, Ján Kubiš. They discussed the situation in the region and in Iraq and the need to speed up government formation to provide necessary services for the citizens and provide good livelihood for them,” read a statement by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).
Sadr’s “Saeroon” list had allied with that led by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and others to compete against vice president and former PM, Nuri al-Maliki, for the formation of the largest parliament bloc that will be entrusted to forming the next government.
Sadr has adopted a stance supporting the formation of a technocrat government free from partisan or sectarian calculations, but has recently warned through his twitter account that he could “take the opposition’s side” if political groups continue to reject his proposals for an independent government.
The Iraqi parliament is expected today to select its new speaker. Iraqi parliament elections were held last May amid judicial challenges that prompted a recount of votes.