By NNN-KUNA
Baghdad : Iraqi President Jalal Al-Talabani has denied American reports that the government of Nouri Al-Maliki was embroiled in serious difficulties that cast doubts on its credibility and legitimacy.
The Iraqi president, of the Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, said at a news conference, held late on Friday following a meeting of the newly-formed four-party alliance that grouped Kurdish and Shiite political groups, that certain “developments are expected to take place in the coming days that will bolster the government despite statements and remarks that do not reflect the facts.
“The government is supported by substantial popular and parliamentary forces and has backing of the four parties that have signed the (alliance) accord and many parliamentarians as well as a broad segment of the Iraqi people.” Al-Talabani was reacting to diverse American official and other reports and statements questioning legitimacy of the government of Al-Maliki.
The political parties of Al-Talabani, Al-Maliki (Al-Daawa), the Shiite Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), as well as the Kurdish leader Masud Al-Barzani, have recently signed an alliance accord, seen intended to reinforce image and influence of the government.
“Predictions on destiny of Al-Maliki’s government have been groundless … They will see that it will be bolstered and developed,” he said.
According to freshly-released CIA reports, the Iraqi government is expected to be threatened with heightened sectarian violence and its influence will significantly wane in the coming 12 months.
The president meanwhile also vowed to work hard to name new ministers following recent resignation of several executives. “We believe in a real national unity government and we will support efforts of the prime minister to fill the vacated seats with competent figures capable of undertaking the national tasks,” he said.
Al-Maliki has been under pressure due to resignations of 17 members of his 40-seat cabinet and has been criticized for the ongoing sectarian violence and tension. The Sunni National Accord Front and the Iraqi Islamic Party quit the government on August 1, accusing it of being biased and complacent vis-a-vis the bad security conditions.