Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Tuesday held talks with the chairman of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), Ammar al-Hakim, in Cairo. The meeting addressed the latest developments in the formation of an Iraqi government. Politicians in the war-torn country have been struggling to create a government since Iraqis went to the polls more than seven months ago. Al-Hakim's visit comes as ISCI is reportedly seeking to align itself with the secular, Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc, led by former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. ISCI is one of the most important Shia political parties in Iraq. Senior member of Iraqiya Jamal al-Battikh said the anticipated move will include power-sharing between both parties, adding that the new coalition will also negotiate with Kurdish blocs. In a previous visit to Egypt on 5 October, Allawi said his party would never recognize a government headed by incumbent Prime Minister and head of the State of Law bloc Nouri al-Maliki. At the start of this month, the Iraqi National Alliance, another prominent Iraqi Shia bloc, nominated al-Maliki for the premiership. But Iraqiya claims the right to form the new government because it garnered the highest number of parliamentary seats--91--in the spring elections. The State of Law won 89 seats. Iraqiya is requesting a recanter of al-Maliki's nomination. Earlier this week, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zebari accused unnamed regional powers of blatant interference in negotations for the formation of the new government.
