Adnan Pachachi told a news conference on April 9 that this step would make it possible to begin forming a government of national unity. His announcement is the first public sign of a possible step forward by Shi'ite, Kurdish, and Sunni leaders, who are struggling to form a government.
Shi'ite politicians met on April 9 to discuss opposition to incumbent Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari, whom Shi'ite parties have put forward as their candidate to lead the new government. They formed a three-member committee to discuss the deadlock with Sunni and Kurdish parties.
Sunnis and Kurds oppose al-Ja'fari because they believe his government is responsible for the rise in sectarian violence.
The U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, on April 9 urged the world to be patient, saying the Iraqi people must get a good government, not just a government.
(compiled from agency reports)