"Iraqi leader’s position uncertain; 535 reportedly die in July attacks" by Ernesto Londono, Washington Post | August 2, 2010
BAGHDAD — Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s chances of keeping his job suffered a setback yesterday when a coalition of Shi’ite parties that appeared to represent his best hope of staying in office broke off talks with his slate....
Maliki's former political allies renewed negotiations with the Sunni-backed coalition led by former prime minister Ayad Allawi....
Related: Occupation Iraq: Sadr Switching Sides?
Wasn't really an ally was he, readers?
Hey, what's a little more MSM obfuscation anyway?
Neither has found enough allies in Parliament to secure the simple majority required to appoint the next prime minister....
Bahaa al-Aaraji, a member of Parliament, said the religious parties would open a new round of talks with their counterparts in Allawi’s bloc and a Kurdish coalition in coming days. He said they would resume talks with Maliki’s slate only if he agrees to nominate a substitute candidate for prime minister....
He's not going to agree to take himself out!
The political bickering has angered residents as government services deteriorate and attacks kill scores of civilians each month.
July was Iraq’s deadliest month in more than two years, according to Iraqi government figures, suggesting that a resilient insurgency is successfully taking advantage of the delays in forming a new government.
Obama says everything on track.
The figures released late Saturday show that 535 people — including 396 civilians — died in attacks in July, according to Iraqi government officials who compile data from records kept by the Interior, Defense, and Health ministries. Fifty Iraqi soldiers and 89 police officers were killed.
At least 680 civilians were wounded in attacks, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the government does not release the data publicly.
The US military disputed the accuracy of the figures....
This is the same U.S. military that said there were weapons of mass destruction there, right?
