Talabani seeks consensus with Iraq opposition

Alsumaria, Iraqis Satellite TV Network reports that President Talabani intends to form a national unity government.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani plans to introduce to all political parties a new initiative to form a national unity government by settling the issue of vacant ministerial positions in the cabinet and end disputes over pending draft laws mainly oil and gas law and constitutional amendments.

One may note yesterday, Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is Kurdish, and Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, who is Sunni Arab, met with President Barzani in which they signed a "memorandum of understanding" to deepen relations further with their three parties. These two groups represent approximately 42% of the Iraqi population. Adding secular Shias may give this national unity government over 50% of the vote. Further Alsumaria reports,

On the other hand, informed sources of the national unity ministry revealed that a meeting will be held next month in Cairo under the patronage of the Arab League, joining parliamentarian figures and other opposition parties including Baathists and armed factions.

A national unity government with a majority may be able to pass needed admendments to the constitution. The development of a national unity will be watched closely as the situation develops.