Iraqi Shiite Praises Sunni Groups

al-Hakim praised Sunni CLC forces for their role in bringing down violence in Iraq.

Noting the decline in violence, he said the credit should go to the role played by the groups, adding: "We still believe in the necessity of continuing with this strategy." "Today, we are witnessing the decline of terrorism and the progress of reconciliation on the popular level with Sunni-Shiite solidarity," he said, alluding to the government's perceived failure to achieve political reconciliation between Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish groups.

However,

Al-Hakim's take on the Sunni groups was not the only hint of his displeasure with the performance of the 19-month-old al-Maliki government, of which al-Hakim's Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, or SIIC, is a major partner. He subtly admonished the government for not doing enough to improve the lot of the poor or fight widespread corruption in government. "The government must look for expertise and competence when it fills official posts," he said. "I am here repeating my earlier calls on the government to pay attention to the poor classes and ... low income employees."

While never a great supporter of Maliki (as Sadr's backing of Maliki prevented Hakim's party from securing the Prime Minister spot), one wonders why Hakim is publically praising Sunni groups at the expense of Maliki. It may have something to do with the recent "memorandum of understanding" signed between the Kurds and Sunni last December in which it appears that Maliki's Dawa party is loooking to build a unity government with Sunnis and Kurds.