Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki welcomed radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's decision to pull out of government on Monday, saying it freed up seats at the cabinet table for "efficient ministers"... Earlier, pro-Sadr law-makers had announced that six Shiite ministers would leave the ruling coalition in protest at Mr. Maliki's failure to set a timeline for the withdrawal of US forces from the war-torn country... But, in a statement from his office, Mr. Maliki portrayed the defection as a welcome opportunity to hand the six portfolios to ministers chosen for their abilities rather than their religious affiliation...
Read the story at ABC.net.au
>>> International Herald Tribune has this take on the story...
Influential Shiite cleric orders allies to quit Iraqi cabinet
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