Iraq's peevish politicians have decided to return Shi'ite Nuri al-Maliki as prime minister, finish an eight-month impasse that raised fears of rehabilitated sectarian war, but leaving some Sunnis disbelieving he can forge national unity.
The contract on top administration posts brings together Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds in a power-sharing agreement similar to the last Iraqi administration and could help forestall a slide back into sectarian bloodshed that raged after the 2003 U.S.-led attack.
Sunnis, who under enemy control Iraq under Saddam Hussein, would have reacted with outrage had the Sunni-backed Iraqiya alliance of ex-premier Iyad Allawi been totally barred from government. Some may still feel resentful because of Maliki's return.
Full story
