Logjam Busted

It appears as though Ibrahim al-Jaafari's stepping aside as Iraqi Prime Minister has broken the logjam in forming a unity government. Here's the latest developments:
The Shiite alliance nominated a tough-talking Shiite politician, Jawad al-Maliki, as prime minister Friday in a move that breaks the long impasse over forming a new government aimed at pulling Iraq out of its sectarian strife.
Sunni and Kurdish politicians signaled they would accept al-Maliki, a close ally of al-Jaafari in the Shiite Dawa Party, clearing the way for parliament on Saturday to elect top leadership positions, including the president, and launch the process of putting together a government.
Al-Maliki has a reputation as a hardline, outspoken defender of the Shiite stance, raising questions over whether he will be able to negotiate the delicate sectarian balancing act.
Shiite lawmaker Ridha Jawad Taqi said all sides were agreed on a package deal for the top spots: Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, would remain as president for a second term, with Sunni Arab Tariq al-Hashimi and Shiite Adil Abdul-Mahdi holding the two vice-president spots.

Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni, would become parliament speaker with two deputies, Khalid al-Attiyah, a Shiite, and Aref Tayfour, a Kurd.
Let's hope that this leads to a unity government that everyone trusts. Let's further hope that this government can get the sectarian violence under control. If that happens, expect troops to start coming home and the President's JA rating to improve dramatically.

UPDATE: The AP's Qassim Abdul-Zahra is now reporting that:
Iraq's president formally designated Shiite politician Jawad al-Maliki to form a new government Saturday, starting a process aimed at healing ethnic and religious wounds and pulling the nation out of insurgency and sectarian strife. The move ends months of political deadlock among Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds that threatened to drag the nation into civil war. Al-Maliki has 30 days to present his Cabinet to parliament for approval.
I'm sure that the Bush Administration is happy to get that news. Let's hope this news helps ease the sectarian violence so our troops can return home soon.

Cross-posted at California Conservative

Originally posted Friday, April 21, 2006, revised 22-Apr 9:58 AM

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