There are growing indications that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, notwithstanding previous statements to the contrary, may soon decide to rejoin the grand Shi'ite coalition.
In the meantime, Iranian Majlis speaker Ali Larijani is due to arrive in Baghdad today at the head of a high-level delegation, ostensibly to "to activate" the relationships between the two countries.
[One suspects, however, that the timing of Larijani's visit to Baghdad may have to do with Iran's mounting pressure on Al-Maliki to rejoin the Shi'ite coalition before the January 16 elections.]
Sources: Al-Rafidayn, November 3, 2009; Al-Sabah, November 4, 2009
