Sadr statement against Maliki is media distortion, two MPs

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Two State of Law MPs described Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr charges of Premier Nouri al-Maliki with “dictatorship” as manipulated by media organs, praising the relations between their bloc and Ahrar bloc. MP Ameen Hadi told IraqiNews.com that “our relations inside the National Alliance with Ahrar bloc are very strong, with mutual contacts between Premier Nouri al-Maliki and Muqtada al-Sadr”. He doubted that the Sadrist leader such a statement, due to the contradictions within the media organs on the wording of the statement against Maliki. On the other hand, MO Ali al-Shalah told IraqiNews.com that ” Muqtada al-Sadr did not describe Maliki as “a dictator”, but spoke in general words”. He added that Premier Maliki did not claim all accomplishments for himself, but “we work collectively and national partnership, not unilateral work”. Sadr, shouldered Maliki, last February, the deterioration in Iraq. In April, 2007, the Sadrist Trend announced its withdrawal from the government because Maliki did not make a time table for US forces withdrawal, though it represented by five ministers. Mehdi army, the military wing of the Sadrist Trend, fought against the government in 2008.     1816