Iraq's new Prime Minister is a sharp critic of the United States

[ECH1969]

Iraq's President has endorsed a tough-talking Shia as the country's new prime minister, ending months of deadlock since the country's elections at the end of last year.

Jawad al-Maliki, 56, a trenchant critic of "criminal" American military action and who opposed the United States-led invasion, was called upon by Jalal Talabani, who was re-elected as the country's president yesterday, to form a government.

Mr Maliki emerged as a compromise candidate after the previous leader of the Shia alliance agreed to stand aside. As a supporter of the death penalty for insurgents, Mr Maliki said he would work to form a "national unity government that will face the challenges of terrorism and corruption".

Speaking in the knowledge that he had support from all three main religious groups, he pledged: "We are going to form a family that will not be based on sectarian or ethnic backgrounds."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/23/wirq23.xml&sSheet=/news/2006/04/23/ixnewstop.html

[savemefromdumbya]

1. It's not going Bush's way is it.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Why do you suppose that is. What's his problem??? nt

[HockeyMom]

3. Be careful what you wish for (democracy),

you just might GET IT.

[Wilms]

4. * only hope is if Democracy doesn't break-out in the US. n/t

[leftchick]

5. and like his ally al-Jaafari

he wants the occupiers out!

[cliss]

6. I'm praying that Mr. Maliki gets to stay.

FOR ONCE, let Iraq have some success. It would be nice if he can prevail and unite the entire country.

It's obvious the people want somebody who's going to kick the U.S. out. Mr. Jaafari was very similar to Mr. Maliki. And you know -- even if the U.S. and Britain succeed in ousting Mr. Maliki, they will just find another one....and

another one....and

another one.....and