I like President Talabani. I thought he was wise and fair. I am sorry to hear about his health.

Iraq President's Office: Leader recovering from stroke (click here)

The Associated Press 
Published Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 9:06AM EST

...Talabani, a 79-year-old senior Kurdish leader, was flown to Germany for treatment more than two weeks ago. The Berlin hospital where he is being treated declined Saturday to comment on Talabani's health, citing patient confidentiality. It would only confirm that he is still being treated there...

Jalal Talabani is Kurdish. Getting the picture? He sympathies with the Kurds and the right for them to propagate an autonomous region with oil reserves. Okay?

Now, with the worries about President Talabani's health, the Prime Minister is left to carry on without him. The Prime Minister is Nouri Al-Maliki. I always considered al Maliki a bit of a hot head and low and behold as soon as the President is out of the picture he attacks Falluja with troops because they were protesting him.

By Kamal Naama | Reuters – Sat, Jan 26, 2013

FALLUJA, Iraq (Reuters) - Thousands of mourners rallied (click here) on Saturday at funerals for Sunni Muslims shot by troops in demonstrations against Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister. 

Troops on Friday shot dead five people in Falluja, in the Sunni-dominated western province of Anbar.

Sunnis have taken to the streets since December to protest what they call mistreatment of their minority sect, heightening fears Iraq may return to the Shi'ite-Sunni bloodletting that killed tens of thousands in 2006-2007....

See, the ethnic divide is too much for them. The Sunnis fear the Shi'ites and as soon as Talabani was missing the Sunnis were worried about their safety. They engaged in demonstrations so Talabani knew where he stood.

Now, this is where it gets really interesting. Talabani, being Shi'ite hails from southern Iraq. The place where the wetlands are. So, like what is this mess in seeing the country in sections when it comes to oil? 

North - Kurds

South - Shi'ite

And Exxon Mobile can't be in both. Hm?

Sunday 27 January 2013 13:43

Iraq parliament passes bill restricting premier’s tenure (click here)

Islam Times - The Iraqi parliament has passed legislation seeking to limit the number of terms Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki may remain in office.

The bill was passed on Saturday by lawmakers from three major Sunni, Kurdish and Shia blocs - all members of Maliki’s unity government. 

The bill restricts the posts of the president, prime minister, and parliament speaker of Iraq to two four-year terms.

Maliki’s supporters dismissed the move as unconstitutional and vowed to refer it to a federal court. 

Despite the parliamentary vote, it needs the president’s approval. 

The parliament’s move comes amidst weeks of anti-government protests. 

Maliki was first elected as prime minister in 2005, and was consequently reelected in 2010.

Go, figure. I get the feeling as though Maliki is not a likable guy.

Just one more thing about Iraq...