Much of the media coverage on Iraq has concentrated on al-Maliki's victory in last weekend's provincial elections. The BBC speaks of tentative first steps towards a stable democracy, while others concentrate on voter turnout and al-Maliki's ties to the former Bush administration.
The media, however, continues to concentrate on the news emanating from Iran, and the effect this is having on Iraq and vice versa.
Iraq prime minister sweeps to victory in provincial elections
The Guardian
Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki's candidates have swept to victory in nine of Iraq's 14 provinces, consolidating the once-troubled leader's rule ahead of national polls this year.
Preliminary results announced today confirmed that Maliki had defied pre-election predictions that he would lose ground to a new guard of Iraqi lawmakers in the wake of four years of bloodshed and instability.
The results also suggest that Maliki has emerged largely unscathed from the George Bush years, despite remaining close to the former US presiden t through much of the occupation...
To view the full article please click on this link [1]
High turnout in Iraqi election
The Daily Telegraph
Candidates supporting the current prime minister have made strong gains in the south of the country according to Iraqi media.
The southern port of Basra and the Shiite holy city of Najaf are among key areas believed to have posted gains for al-Maliki allies. Iraqi secular parties are also thought to have gained votes because of disillusionment with religious parties.
Overall turnout in Saturday's provincial elections was 51 per cent, less than expected and less than previous polls, but the election passed without major violence...
To view the full article please click on this link [2]
UN to consider Iraq sanctions end
Al Jazeera
The United Nations is consider ing lifting the remaining sanctions against Iraq, the secretary-general has said.
Ban Ki-moon made the announcement during a surprise visit to Iraq on Friday.
"The UN is in the process of reviewing all the resolutions and on my return I will discuss this issue with the Security Council," Ban said...
To view the full article please click on this link [3]
Iraq's Victory, Iran's Loss
New York Times
IRAQ'S peaceful elections and strong voter turnout last weekend were a major success for both that country and the United States - not that there was much celebration in American news coverage.
The elections could also redefine Iran's role in the region. Critics of the Iraq war claimed that overthrowing Saddam Hussein in 2003 strengthened Iran's position. Had we left Mr. Hussein in power, the theory goes, Iran would be less of a global threat. This argument is fundamentally wrong...
To view the full article please click on this link [4]
Iraq's Good Example
Washington Post
A new Iraq is emerging from five years of American invasion and occupation, and at first glance it looks distressingly like the old Iraq: Its people are still bound by the barbed wire of suspicion and hatred as much as by any sense of common purpose and history.
But the new Iraq is clearly a nation in ways that the old Iraq -- long considered by experts as an artificial creation that would fly apart under the pressure of outside intervention -- was not. It did not fly apart and has in fact undergone significant, positive mutations as a result of a soon-to-subside U.S. presence.
To view the full article please click on this link [5]
Tribal chiefs in southern city sign 'solidarity pact'
Azzaman
A new deal tribal leaders in the southern city of Amara signed recently is seen as a harbinger of stability and security in southern Iraq.
It is the first such pact Arab tribal chieftains have signed in the country since the U.S. invasion of 2003.
It follows the withdrawal of the Japanese contingent from the Province of Missan of which Amara is the capital.
To view the full article please click on this link [6]
Democracy takes root in Iraq
The BBC
History may look back on the provincial elections held on the last day of January this year and see them as the point at which it could be said that Iraq had turned a corner and was heading towards a stable, democratic future.
Considering the situation just two years ago, when the country seemed firmly bent on plunging ever deeper into a nightmare of sectarian carnage and fragmentation, they were an astonishing achievement bearing many messages and huge implications.
On the security le vel alone, the polling passed off more peacefully than even the most optimistic had dared hope.
To view the full article please click on this link [7]
Best wishes,
Jane Swann