Another Party To Pull Ministers Out Of Iraqi Government

The ministers of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's party are the latest to leave the government (file photo) (AFP) August 24, 2007 -- The secularist bloc headed by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi today said that three of its ministers would formally quit the cabinet.

The announcement is the latest blow to the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The Iraqi List announced its intention to withdraw after ministers from the main Sunni Arab bloc, the Iraqi Accordance Front, withdrew from the cabinet last month.

Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, whose party is part of the Accordance Front bloc, today reiterated that its ministers would not return to their cabinet positions unless their demands are met.

"We have suggested a package of reforms... We may return to the Cabinet if the government meets our expectations," al-Hashemi said.

(Reuters, AP)