Iraqi political blocs end 8-month deadlock

BAGHDAD. November 12. KAZINFORM Iraqi political blocs reached a power-sharing deal after more than eight months since the country's parliamentary elections, politicians said on Thursday; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

After three days of tough negotiations, the Iraqi politicians brokered a deal Wednesday night that granted the incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki another four-year term, Hassan al-Senied, a Shiite lawmaker, told reporters.

"The political blocs agreed to nominate al-Maliki for the premiership, Talabani for presidency and the Iraqia bloc will nominate its candidates for the speaker post and the presidency of the National Council for Strategic Policies," Senied said.

Maliki was in fierce fighting for another term in power but he was facing bitter resistance from his rival Ayad Allawi, head of cross-sectarian political bloc which gained narrow win with two seats ahead of Maliki's bloc in the March 7 parliamentary elections.

Meanwhile, an Iraqia politician, who asked not to be named, told Xinhua that his "bloc will hold a meeting before the parliament session today to nominate its candidates for its two posts (presidency of the National Council for Strategic Policies)."

"It is widely believed among politicians in the Iraqia bloc that Ayad Allawi will be nominated for the National Council for Strategic Policies and Ossama al-Nuhaifi for the speaker," the politician said; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

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