Iraq Press Roundup

The Kurdish Al Taakhi newspaper said Sunday a meeting of various political factions indicated a possible compromise to end the political stalemate.

The paper quoted Iraqi President Jalal Talabani as saying he was holding meetings with lawmakers and the leaders of various political factions. Observers expect the meetings to be frank, the newspaper said.

At a news conference, Talabani said a lunch meeting held a few days ago was to prepare the blocs’ leaderships, especially those who withdrew from the government. He said when the government was formed in 2005, it began with a lunch and ended with an agreement. He noted that that meeting too was rife with disputes.

The Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council's newspaper, Al Adala, reported on a meeting held in Amman, Jordan, between Iraqi national security adviser Muwafaq al-Rubaee and Jordanian Interior Minster Abdul Faid.

"The two sides discussed the relationships between the two countries and the way to promote it. Rubaee also discussed simplifying the procedures to let Iraqis enter Jordan, give them visas and residencies, and hand over wanted Iraqis to the Iraqi government," the paper said.

Kul Al Iraq reported Sunday on a meeting between a delegation of lawmakers from the Sadr Movement and President Jalal Talabani.

The Sadr Movement members included Falah Shanshal, member of Parliament, Abdul Mahdi Al Matiri, head of the Sadr bloc, and Salih al-Ageeli.

Talabani told the delegation of the agreement between the two main Shiite parties and the two Kurdish parties.