Al-Iraqiya Coalition to settle its stand towards security cabinet posts Tuesday, MP says.

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Al-Iraqiya Coalition, led by former Prime Minister, Iyad Allawi, has decided to take a decisive attitude towards the candidates for the security cabinet posts later in the day, its Legislature, Othman al-Juheishy said, expressing possibility for its withdrawal from the government in the event of Prime Minister Maliki’s imposition of his own candidates for the posts.   “Al-Iraqiya Coalition shall meet at 07:00 pm local time on Tuesday, with the presence of all its leaders, under chairmanship of Iyad Allawi, and members of the Coalition, to take a decisive position to settle the issue of the security cabinet posts, as well as the discussion of the recent developments on the political arena,” Juheishy told IraqiNews.com news agency.   Iraq ’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, has presented the names of his candidates for the security cabinet posts, Riyadh Gharib for the National Security, Towfiq al-Yassiry for the Interior Ministry and Saadoun al-Duleimy for the Defense Ministry.   “The names, presented by Mr. Maliki to the Parliament shall be rejected by al-Iraqiya and the issue of nominating Saadoun al-Duleimy for the Defense Minister’s post is also rejected by us,” Juheishy said, adding: “we have all respect and appreciation for Dulaimy, who has been successful in his current Ministry, but presenting his name for the Defense Minister’s post was not agreed upon within the political agreement.”   “In my opinion, the above stands counter to the political agreement and a backing up from what had been agreed upon; hence, how can we continue our attitude towards a real partnership, when there is a position that stands counter to that agreement with the government?” he asked.   Juheishy said: “Such a position shall force us, either to suspend our membership to the Parliament or withdraw from the government,” adding that “the first position was not the first of its kind, but there were several similar positions, including the position towards the Arbil Agreement, that only a small part of was implemented.”   Noteworthy is that differences have taken place since about four months about the candidates for the security cabinet posts, that are still vacant, especially the Interior and Defense Ministers posts, with the first one being the share of the National Coalition, led by PM Maliki, and the second, being the share of al-Iraqiya Coalition, led by Allawi, with each side rejecting the candidate of the other.   The President of North Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani, had launched an initiative to settle the political crisis on 16/9/2010, including the formation of an 8-12 member committee, representing different political blocs, to begin talks, including the settlement of the suspended issues and to discuss the formation of a government of national-partnership, as well as the issue of the three presidencies.   SKH (FT)   614