Iraq: Sunni Block Returns To al-Maliki Government

No political progress in Iraq, then what is this all about? As a direct result of the offensive against the Mahdi army in Basra, the Sunnis are rejoining the al-Maliki government, after nine months of absence.

Iraq's main Sunni Muslim political bloc has agreed in principle to return to the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki nearly nine months after quitting the Cabinet, lawmakers from the group said Thursday.

A return of the Sunnis would be a boost to al-Maliki, who has struggled to keep together the disparate factions of his government and attempt to reconcile Iraq's feuding Shiite and Sunni politicians.

Salim Abdullah, a lawmaker and chief spokesman for the Sunni Accordance Front, said that after "positive negotiations" with al-Maliki's government, a deal in principle was reached under which the Front would hold five Cabinet posts, in addition to a deputy prime minister position.

Progress in Iraq is being made, and all the Democrats can do is preach surrender.

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