Iraq PM Maliki Predicts New Government ‘Very Soon’

“Discussions are taking place, we are now at the end of the tunnel, at the end of the road,” Maliki told reporters after a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. “If God allows, this government will emerge soon,” said the premier, who flew in to Egypt late on Tuesday after  similar visits to Iraq neighbors Syria, Jordan and Iran.

Maliki said he and Mubarak had discussed the role of Egyptian companies in the multi-billion-dollar reconstruction of Iraq. “We need to have agreements with friendly countries for them to be partners of Iraq in the reconstruction process,” he said, pledging to cut the red tape for Egyptian firms doing business in his country.

Insecurity is “a phase which we have passed,” Maliki said, vowing to ensure “100 percent” security at the workplace.

He said the rebuilding of war-battered Iraq required a strong government at the helm in Baghdad and one with “developed relations with neighboring countries, with brother countries, and solid political relations.”

Iraq wants “friendly countries to stand by our side, but at the same time we do not want anyone to interfere in the process of forming our new government,” Maliki said, calling for “impartiality” and “balance” from outside states.

(AFP)