Friday, February 16, 2007
Iraqi media round-up
Presidential Council Discusses Political Process
(Al-Sabah) President Jalal Talabani held a meeting on security and the political process and security with his two vice-presidents, Adil Abdul Mahdi and Tarik al-Hashimi. The gathering focused on providing all possible means of support to the new crackdown and efforts to end sectarian violence. Talabani and the vice-presidents urged all political blocs to put into practice the agreements they signed and to emphasize reconciliation and political participation in order to help the government achieve its goals. (Al-Sabah is a daily independent publicly owned newspaper.)
Funds for Diwaniya Projects
(Al-Iraq al-Youm) The minister for planning and development cooperation has earmarked 115 billion Iraqi dinars (about 90 million US dollars) for drinking water, sewage and school rehabilitation projects in the province of Diwaniya. A source at the ministry said that it will rehabilitate and develop health centres throughout the province and provide them with modern supplies and equipment. (Al-Iraq al-Yoom is a weekly newspaper issued by Isra Shakir.)
Baghdad Security Plan Launched
(Al-Mada) Residents of Baghdad and neighbouring districts saw heavy troop deployments and a slew of checkpoints beginning at 6 am Wednesday morning as part of a Baghdad-wide push to improve security. In Kerbala, Iraqi premiere Nouri al-Maliki announced the launch of the plan aimed at improving security in the capital. The government says these moves are part of a larger strategy to impose the rule of law and stamp out violence. (Al-Mada is issued daily by Al-Mada institution for Media, Culture, and Arts.)
