Maliki Prefers Impasse to Saudi Mediation in Lack of Iraqi Govt

Iraq’s Shi’ites Turned Down Saudi Mediation Offer

VoA News: The Shi’ite-dominated coalition backing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia to help end the deadlock that has prevented formation of a government in Baghdad since elections last March.

On Saturday, Saudi King Abdullah invited Iraq’s political leaders to Riyadh for talks next month after the Muslim holidays . He said Iraq is at a “crossroads” and needs to bring an end to what he described as “ugly sectarianism.”

But a spokesman for the Shi’ite National Alliance said Iraq’s political leaders are working to end the stalemate and that Saudi involvement could serve to complicate the situation.

Iraq’s Sunni-backed Iraqiya alliance led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi received the most votes in the election for a new parliament on March 7 but fell short of a outright majority. The resulting jockeying for power among Iraq’s Shi’ite, Sunni and Kurdish politicians has brought the country’s government to a virtual standstill.

Earlier, an Iraqiya official was reported welcoming the Saudi offer. He suggested Turkey and Iran should also be involved in ending the stalemate.