Iraqi PM accuses Sunni bloc of stalling progress

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2007

BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq's beleaguered government on Friday accused the country's largest Sunni political bloc, which has withdrawn from the ruling coalition, of stalling moves towards national reconciliation.

In a reaction likely to further poison relations with the Sunni ministers boycotting Shiite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's cabinet, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh issued a statement rejecting the bloc's complaints.

On Wednesday, the National Concord Front withdrew its six Sunni ministers from Maliki's Shiite-led government and threatened to take further action if various political demands were not met within a week.

"The Concord Front's statement and its positions -- including positions it has threatened to take -- have created several obstacles,"...