Supporting Protests, Iraqi Sunni-Kurds Boycott Cabinet

Photo Credit: AP

In continuing political turmoil facing Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki‘s government, Sunni and Kurdish ministers boycotted a cabinet meeting Tuesday in support of protesters in Sunni-dominated provinces.  The boycott comes at a time of heightened political uncertainty in Iraqi’s Shi’ite-led national unity government following the withdrawal of American security forces last December and the persistence of anti-government protests in past several weeks. Citing a failure by Maliki’s government to implement protesters’ demands – including the removal of Maliki, a Shi’ite, and the suspension of a controversial anti-terrorism law – Sunni Iraqiya lawmaker Jaber al-Jaberi said “[the ministers] don’t see a response from the government to the demands of the protesters… or to accepting power-sharing”.  Shiites in southern Iraq held counter-demonstrations in support of  Maliki, who in recent days has called for the protesters to end their rallies.