Coalition government near in Iraq

BAGHDAD, April 27 (UPI) -- The two major parties in Iraq are moving closer to reaching a political majority government, an official close to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said.

The official said establishing political relations between Maliki's State of Law party and Iraqiya means the country's ability to reach a majority government was about 99 percent, al-Sumaria reported Wednesday.

"The natural structure of an Iraqi sound and typical political situation resides in the rapprochement between [Iraqiya] and State of Law coalition," said Izzat al-Shahbandar, a State of Law member of Parliament. "When the two parties come together, it would be possible for them to constitute a political majority and form a majority government."

In national elections last year, neither party claimed the required number for a majority. Iraqiya, led by Iyad Allawi, said the State of Law coalition failed to implement bilateral agreements on the national strategic policy council. The State of Law members accused Iraqiya of avoiding responsibility as a partner in the government.

Maliki threatened Tuesday to seek the dissolution of the government if it fails to accomplish the country's projects beyond a 100-day deadline, al-Sumaria reported.

As prime minister, Maliki said, he can call for early elections.

"The government might ask to dismiss the minister if we deem that his ministry is incapable of accomplishing its projects. We might ask as well to dissolve the government after the 100-day deadline. This deadline involves the Parliament as well," Maliki said during a news conference Tuesday.