Iraqi Parliament Selects Top Security Ministers
The Iraqi parliament agreed upon candidates to lead the country’s three top security ministries Thursday, ending a weeks-long stalemate among the country’s largest political factions.The selection of an interior minister, a defense minister and a national security adviser gives Iraq a complete government for the first time since elections in December 2005 and it provides a key opportunity to promote political reconciliation between members of the country’s Sunni Muslim minority and the Shiite-dominated government.
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki presented the names to parliament a few minutes after announcing the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, who has claimed responsibility for hundreds of bombings, beheadings and kidnappings since the U.S. invasion.
While less exciting than Zarqawi’s death, this is probably a much more signifigant development in building a stable Iraq. From a quick glance, it looks like the choices made for these important positions are pretty good ones, and will hopefully be able to reverse some disturbing trends. In particular, it looks like the Shiite militias will no longer be so powerful in the interior ministry.
“In particular, it looks like the Shiite militias will no longer be so powerful in the interior ministry”
I am somewhat more sceptical.
Sometimes it is better to have an enemy where you can see it.
As I said in my other comment, when the levels of sectarian violence reduce I will hold some hope. Until then…