Muwaffaq al-Rubai'i, former national security adviser to the Iraqi government and currently the leader of a centrist group in the National Iraqi Coalition (comprising Shi'a parties) said that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki will join the coalition at the last moment.
However, he said, the Coalition would not offer him the premiership, as it is its policy to restrict the premiership to one term.
With his popularity declining, Al-Maliki may have no choice but to join the Shi'a coalition to ensure his political survival.
In responding to a query by a reporter, Al-Maliki did not deny that the discussion between his "State of Law" group and the Shi'a coalition was at advanced stage, but insisted that he would only join if "the structure and uniqueness" of each component of the grand coalition, which he termed a "front" [jabha rather than i'tilaf, or coalition] is maintained.
Meanwhile, Muqtada Al-Sadr said that the reunion of Al-Maliki into the National Iraqi Coalition is subject to his granting amnesty to elements of Jaish Al-Mahdi who were sentenced to death [for capital crimes.]
Sources: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, London, November 12, 2009; Al-Sabah Al-Jadid, Iraq, November 12, 2009
