February 5th, 2009 // comments (0)

Iraqi Prime Minister’s Party Wins

It seems Iraqi’s looked outside of religion for leadership at the polls:

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s allies swept to victory over Shiite religious parties during last weekend’s provincial elections in Iraq — a rousing endorsement of his crackdown on extremists, according to official results released Thursday.

The impressive showing, which must be certified by international and Iraqi observers, places al-Maliki in a strong position before parliamentary elections late this year and could bolster U.S. confidence that it can begin withdrawing more of its 140,000 troops.

The results were a major blow to Iraq’s biggest Shiite religious party — the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council — which trailed in every Shiite province including its base in the holy city of Najaf.

Related:

• January 25, 2010 -- CHEMICAL ALI EXECUTED
• December 22, 2009 -- CHRISTMAS EVE VOTE
• December 17, 2009 -- INSURGENTS HACK DRONES
• December 8, 2009 -- IRAQ ATTACK KILLS 118
• December 1, 2009 -- IRAQI SHOE THROWER
• April 6, 2009 -- Media Snap Photos Of Returning Dead
• March 18, 2009 -- Video: Iraq, Six Years Later
• February 27, 2009 -- Obama Sets A Date For Iraq War End
• February 27, 2009 -- Obama Iraq Pullout Plans Coming
• February 19, 2009 -- Iraqi Shoe Thrower Talks In Court