Iraq's parliament reopens amid sectarian strife

[maddezmom]

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq's parliament has reopened after a month-long recess marked by mounting sectarian violence, beginning a session which will discuss breaking up the country into semi-independent regions.

At the top of the agenda was the controversial question of whether to allow some of Iraq's provinces to merge into larger autonomous regions, a move which some Sunni lawmakers fear could lead to the country falling apart.

Other groups, however, strongly support an idea which would create virtually independent zones in the oil-rich Shiite south and Kurdish north, and leave the Sunnis economically isolated in the barren western desert.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition government is struggling to unite Iraq's warring factions.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/iraq

[bemildred]

1. Iraq parliament to debate federal break-up

BAGHDAD (AFP) -
Iraq's parliament has reopened after a month-long recess marred by mounting sectarian violence, with deputies expected to discuss breaking up the country into semi-independent regions.

At the top of the agenda was the controversial issue of whether to allow Iraq's provinces to merge into larger autonomous regions, a move which some Sunni Arab lawmakers fear could tear the country apart.

Other groups, however, strongly support a plan which would create virtually independent zones in the oil-rich Shiite south and Kurdish north, and leave Sunni Arabs economically isolated in the barren western desert.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's coalition government struggled to unite Iraq's warring factions and end the persistent bloodshed, which saw 20 Iraqis killed on Tuesday in attacks around the country.

Yahoo

[annabanana]

2. It seems the Kurds are already doing this... .

They started replacing Iraqi flags with Kurdish ones last week sometime.

[bemildred]

3. I have a feeling the big dogs are sniffing each others butts and

getting ready to fight over the spoils among the Shi'ia too. There have been a number of attacks of late on "leaders of militia", and al Sistani just washed his hands of the whole mess.