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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraq's PM longs to leave office | Iraq's PM longs to leave office |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has made clear he dislikes being the country's leader and would prefer to leave the job before his term ends. | Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has made clear he dislikes being the country's leader and would prefer to leave the job before his term ends. |
| In an extensive interview with a US newspaper, Mr Maliki said he would certainly not be seeking a second term. | In an extensive interview with a US newspaper, Mr Maliki said he would certainly not be seeking a second term. |
| A compromise choice, his tenure has been plagued by factional strife within both the country and government, and rumours the US has no faith in him. | A compromise choice, his tenure has been plagued by factional strife within both the country and government, and rumours the US has no faith in him. |
| "I wish I could be done with it even before the end of this term," he said. | "I wish I could be done with it even before the end of this term," he said. |
| "I didn't want to take this position," he told the Wall Street Journal. "I only agreed because I thought it would serve the national interest, and I will not accept it again." | "I didn't want to take this position," he told the Wall Street Journal. "I only agreed because I thought it would serve the national interest, and I will not accept it again." |
| Undermined | Undermined |
| Mr Maliki, a stalwart of the Shia movement which led the resistance to Saddam Hussein, was sworn in as prime minister for a four year term in May after Sunni and Kurd parties rejected the Shia alliance's first nominee. | Mr Maliki, a stalwart of the Shia movement which led the resistance to Saddam Hussein, was sworn in as prime minister for a four year term in May after Sunni and Kurd parties rejected the Shia alliance's first nominee. |
| It followed four months of political deadlock. | It followed four months of political deadlock. |
| He has since been undermined by sectarian tensions within his majority Shia alliance, as well as opposition from Sunni Arabs politicians who say he has not done enough to dismantle Shia militias. | He has since been undermined by sectarian tensions within his majority Shia alliance, as well as opposition from Sunni Arabs politicians who say he has not done enough to dismantle Shia militias. |
| The manner in which Saddam Hussein was executed has also increased the pressure on Mr Maliki's government. | The manner in which Saddam Hussein was executed has also increased the pressure on Mr Maliki's government. |
| Correspondents say mobile phone footage showing the former Iraqi leader being taunted as he went to the gallows will make it very hard for Baghdad to convince Sunni Arabs that his execution was not just an act of retaliation against their community by Shias. | Correspondents say mobile phone footage showing the former Iraqi leader being taunted as he went to the gallows will make it very hard for Baghdad to convince Sunni Arabs that his execution was not just an act of retaliation against their community by Shias. |
| As Saddam Hussein supporters continue to protest against his death, the Sunni Baath Party announced it had appointed Saddam's former deputy, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, as his successor. | As Saddam Hussein supporters continue to protest against his death, the Sunni Baath Party announced it had appointed Saddam's former deputy, Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri, as his successor. |
| In a message posted on the internet, Mr Douri said the death of their leader would "only strengthen their resolve". | In a message posted on the internet, Mr Douri said the death of their leader would "only strengthen their resolve". |
| Clashing with Washington | Clashing with Washington |
| Mr Maliki has also had a tense relationship with the US. | Mr Maliki has also had a tense relationship with the US. |
| Late last year the New York Times published a memo from the White House national security adviser which contained a withering analysis of his leadership. | Late last year the New York Times published a memo from the White House national security adviser which contained a withering analysis of his leadership. |
| It described him as "a leader who wanted to be strong but was having difficulty figuring out how to do so" although President George W Bush has subsequently stated that Mr Maliki has his full backing. | It described him as "a leader who wanted to be strong but was having difficulty figuring out how to do so" although President George W Bush has subsequently stated that Mr Maliki has his full backing. |
| Mr Maliki has however made his own impatience with Washington clear, accusing the US of failing to provide adequate equipment and training to Iraqi forces. | Mr Maliki has however made his own impatience with Washington clear, accusing the US of failing to provide adequate equipment and training to Iraqi forces. |
| He repeated his criticism in the Wall Street Journal, saying US-led forces and the Iraqi army were too slow in responding to the insurgency. | He repeated his criticism in the Wall Street Journal, saying US-led forces and the Iraqi army were too slow in responding to the insurgency. |
| "This gives the terrorists a chance to hit and run," he said. "What is happening in Iraq is a war of gangs and a terrorist war. That is why it needs to be confronted with a strong force and with fast reaction." | "This gives the terrorists a chance to hit and run," he said. "What is happening in Iraq is a war of gangs and a terrorist war. That is why it needs to be confronted with a strong force and with fast reaction." |
| In the interview, conducted a week before Saddam Hussein was executed, Mr Maliki told the paper he had faith that peace would eventually be restored to Iraq. | |
| "I have a strong hope. If I didn't have hope, I wouldn't be here today." | "I have a strong hope. If I didn't have hope, I wouldn't be here today." |