Talks progressing in Iraq, Zebari says

BAGHDAD, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Dialogue between rival political factions in Iraq has progressed since the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the Iraqi foreign minister said.

Iraqi leaders have been unable to form a government since the secular Iraqiya slate won a two-seat victory in March elections. Iraqiya maintains it has the constitutional right to form the government first but it lacks the 163-seat majority to do so alone.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari in an interview with London's pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat said talks between rival political slates have "intensified" since Ramadan ended in early September.

"Some issues, not all of them, are expected to be settled, at least those concerning the three presidential posts," he said. "It is possible to reach an acceptable and reasonable formula, but the matter is not easy for some reasons."

He added that Baghdad considered the issue an internal matter but blamed members of the leading political slates for their unwillingness to consider compromises in order to form the next government.

"Each wants everything or nothing, which is not acceptable in my opinion," he said.