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Iraqi Political Parties Prepare to Form Coalition Government
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=10AC644:3919ACA
Officials from Council on American-Islamic Relations appeal for
release of American freelance journalist Jill Carroll Iraqi parties
are preparing for tough talks on forming a new coalition government,
one day after results showed Shi'ite religious parties won the most
seats, but not a majority, in last month's parliamentary vote.









Nadi Awad(l) and Corey Saylor from Council on American-Islamic
Relations arrive in BaghdadSunni Arab politicians meeting Saturday
called for a national unity government.

Shi'ites secured 128 of the 275 seats in the December 15 poll. Sunni
Arabs won 55 seats, and the Kurds won 53.

Also today, officials from a U.S. Muslim advocacy group, Council on
American-Islamic Relations arrived in Baghdad and appealed for the
release of American freelance journalist Jill Carroll.

Kidnappers had said they would kill Carroll unless all eight female
detainees in American custody were released, but Friday's deadline
passed with no word on her fate.

In other news, a car bomb exploded today at a market in Baghdad,
killing one person and wounding several others. Some information for
this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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