PM lauds Talabani’s role in resolving partisan crisis

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday praised President Jalal al-Talabani for his efforts in resolving the crisis that erupted within the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). During a lunch banquet held by the premier in honor of the president, the two officials discussed the current situation on the political scene. The banquet comes one day following meetings by PUK leaders that aimed to put an end to the crisis that erupted after five party leaders had submitted their resignations. The PUK, which was established in 1975 and is led by Talabani, is one of the main Kurdish parties in Iraq. SS (P)/SR 1