URGENT / Meeting of political forces begins at Talabani’s residence

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Meeting of Iraq’s Political Forces has started at the residence of Iraqi President, Jalal Talabani, on Saturday, with the presence of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and al-Iraqiya Leader Iyad Allawi, to discuss the U.S. presence in Iraq, the Arbil Agreement and the trimming down of the Iraqi cabinet.   “The meeting of the Political Forces has began at the Residence of President Jalal Talabani, with the presence of Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, al-Iraqiya Leader, Iyad Allawi, Parliament Speaker, Usama al-Nujeify, the Chairman of the Supreme Islamic Council, Ammar al-Hakim, to discuss the U.S. presence in Iraq. In addition, the meeting will discuss items from the Arbil Agreement that have not been implemented and the trimming down of the Iraqi Cabinet, recently proposed by Maliki,” the semi-official al-Iraqiya TV Channel reported.   The Channel said that “Talabani shall confer with Allawi and Maliki, in a separate meeting, also on Saturday.”   Noteworthy is that the meeting of the Political Leaders at the Residence of President Jalal Talabani, is scheduled to discuss the suspended dossiers and the current differences between the State of Law Coalition, led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and al-Iraqiya Coalition, led by Iyad Allawi, as well as the Cabinet’s trimming and the U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.   SKH (TI)/SR 372