Al-Sadr (left) with al-Maliki
Muqtada al-Sadr, the head of the Sadrist movement who spends most of his time in Iran for "religious studies," has said that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, as "the head of the leadership pyramid" in the country, bears the responsibility for the deterioration in Iraq.
Al-Sadr said that decisions are made by al-Maliki and that it is incumbent upon him to find solutions for the people's problems in the quickest way. Al-Sadr has launched a country-wide survey to seek the opinions of the Iraqi people on the situation in the country, and particularly on how they rate the provision of public services.
Al-Sadr also demanded the removal of the governor of the province of Baghdad and the city's mayor. He said that otherwise this would be done "by force."
The Sadrists gained 40 seats in the 325-seat parliament in the last election in March 2010. Under pressure from Iran they have also joined al-Maliki's government. Observers suggest that al-Sadr's moves, including the countrywide survey, is an attempt to improve his chances in the next election. It remains to be seen whether al-Sadr will keep his ministers in the government or instruct them to withdraw as he did during the outgoing government.
Al-Maliki reiterated the right of the people to demonstrate, although he did all in his power to discourage and frustrate the big demonstration which took place in Baghdad on February 25..
Sources: Al-Rafidayn, February 28, 2011; Alarabonline.org, February 28. 2011; Alsumaria.tv, February 28, 2011
