Iraqiya List waiting for a clear initiative from al-Maliki

May 9, 2010, 13:52 GMT

Baghdad - The Iraqiya List of former Iraqi prime minister Iyad Allawi's list said Sunday it is waiting for a 'serious' and 'clear initiative' from current premier Nuri al-Maliki for cooperation to form a new government.

'There was no initiative or a serious action that confirms the intentions of the State of Law coalition to set a date to meet with the head of Iraqiya, to bring their views closer and confirm their national partnership,' said Hani Ashour, an adviser in Iraqiya.

Ashour told reporters that though al-Maliki met with the heads of other blocs, the coalition's 'position is still unclear towards a meeting' with Iraqiya.

His statements came after press reports said that the heads of the two Iraqi rival coalitions are expected to meet soon to decide the nature of the negotiations between them.

Al-Maliki's State of Law coalition won 89 seats in Iraq's March 7 parliamentary polls, narrowly behind the winning Iraqiya List, headed by former prime minister Ayad Allawi.

Intense political jockeying has followed the results, as both al- Maliki and Allawi claim the right to form the new government.

The al-Sabah daily on Sunday quoted Ali al-Moussawi, media adviser to al-Maliki as saying that the expected meeting 'might result in a proximity between the two lists, and a discussion about the new government in the light of the other alliances formed between the winning blocs.'

Last Tuesday, the State of Law and the Iraqi National lists, formed a new alliance after months of negotiations between the two sides.

Although the alliance became the largest group in parliament because it comprises 159 representatives, it is still short of four representatives to achieve a working majority.

The country's electoral commission is currently recounting ballot casts in Baghdad, as ordered by a court last month, after al-Maliki alleged the results were fraudulent and demanded a recount.

Shortly after that, Allawi called on the United Nations to form a caretaker government to oversee fresh elections.