Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Shi'ite Party Quits Iraq Government Talks
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=122F200:3919ACA Spokesman for
Fadhila party, one of seven groups in Shi'ite United Iraqi Alliance,
tells reporters the party will not to join cabinet, but will remain in
parliament An Iraqi Shi'ite political party has pulled out of talks on
forming a new government and criticized other parties for the way top
cabinet positions were being distributed.

A spokesman for the Fadhila party, which is one of seven groups in the
Shi'ite United Iraqi Alliance, told reporters in Baghdad Friday the
party will not to join the cabinet, but will remain in parliament. He
said the selection of ministers was being dictated by "personal
interests and selfish desires."

Earlier, Iraqi politicians said a dispute within the Alliance over the
post of oil minister was holding up the announcement of a new
government.

Prime Minister designate Nouri al-Maliki had been expected to announce
his new Cabinet Thursday and present it to parliament for approval.

The United States says formation of a unified Iraqi government is key
to establishing security in the country.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military said four American Marines drowned late
Thursday when their tank rolled off a bridge into a canal in Anbar
province, west of Baghdad.

Also on Thursday, separate roadside bomb blasts in Baghdad killed
three U.S. soldiers and five Iraqi street cleaners.

Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.


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