Iraq prepares for parliamentary polls

Sunni Arabs look to increase their say via polls after boycotting last general election in 2005.

BAGHDAD - Iraq prepares for the second general election since the US-led invasion of the country in 2003.

Around 115,000 US soldiers are still stationed in Iraq, though that figure is set to drop to 50,000 by the end of August as part of a deal between Baghdad and Washington that calls for a full American withdrawal by the end of 2011.

Parliamentary elections are scheduled for March 7 but concerns remain that instability could increase in 2010 as political parties wrangle over the formation of a new government.

Attacks have, however, declined nationwide.

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is bidding to retain his post following the March legislative polls, which had to be delayed because of protracted negotiations over a law governing the election, though he will have to do so without his former Shiite allies, the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, from whom he broke away.

Sunni Arabs will also look to increase their say via the polls after boycotting the last general election in 2005.

The vote comes as Iraq struggles to rebuild and reopen its economy, which has been crippled by decades of war and sanctions.

Baghdad took its initial steps along that road in 2009, inviting companies to large investment conferences in London and Washington, though neither produced any deals.

The country, which has the third-largest set of oil reserves in the world, also auctioned off 10 oil fields to foreign energy firms.

The US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 is viewed by critics as an 'act of aggression' that violated international law.

Subsequent US occupation policies caused the country to descend into almost total chaos, bordering on civil war.

An estimated 1.3 million Iraqis have been killed in Iraq as a direct result of the invasion, while millions more have fled the country.

Source: Middle East Online.
Link: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=36385.