Iraqi government seeking to solidify cabinet in

Photo By Sgt. Eddie Reyes | The newly elected Prime Minister of Iraq Nouri Meliki.  

06.06.2006

Courtesy Story

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Following the landmark elections of Dec. 15, 2005, Iraqi president Jalal Talabani named Nouri Maliki prime minister-designate on April 22.

Maliki's naming triggered a 30-day period during which he must form a cabinet consisting of several ministers who will essentially handle the executive business of the new Iraqi government from 2006 to 2010. The cabinet was approved by a majority of the Shiite-dominated National Assembly May 20, just two days shy of the deadline

Forming the cabinet, or the Council of Ministers as it is constitutionally known, was not an easy task. As a young democracy, Iraq suffers from a fragile state of politics that require careful balancing.

The prime minister had to assure that the ministers represented the country's constituents, regardless of their ethic or religious backgrounds. Had a new cabinet not been approved by the deadline, the constitution would have demanded a new general election.

Luckily, Maliki had the experience and support necessary to accomplish his task on time.

Born near Al Hilla in 1950, he studied Arabic literature, obtaining a masters degree from Baghdad University. He became a veteran of Iraqi politics who was forced to leave Iraq under threat of death in 1980 because of his opposition to Saddam Hussein's Baathist government. While in exile, Maliki continued working in an underground movement to topple Saddam's regime. When Saddam fell in 2003, Maliki returned to Iraq and took a leadership role in the Shiite Dawa party.

Maliki was heavily involved in the drafting of the new Iraqi constitution, which the country adopted by referendum in November of last year.

He also took on several leadership positions in the Shiite community in Iraq after Saddam's downfall, becoming the speaker for the Dawa party and for the Shiite coalition that forms the majority in the current legislature. He also served as a primary adviser to his predecessor, Iraq's interim premier Ibrahim Jaafari.

Many members of the international community see Maliki as a leader capable of leading his country through the up-coming critical years.

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad reportedly described Maliki as an Arab and Iraqi nationalist who is independent of Iran. And Haitham al-Husseini, a prominent Shiite political leader, reportedly predicted that all constituencies in the National Assembly would likely support Maliki's cabinet.

As the first permanent government takes office in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein, Maliki's leadership should prove invaluable.

• Date Taken: 06.06.2006
• Date Posted: 06.06.2006 14:54
• Story ID: 6698