Iraqi parties to form local government coalition

Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, led by Muslim cleric Ammar al-Hakim, has formed a political alliance with Muqtada al-Sadr's Coalition of Liberals to lead local governments in the new central and southern provinces of Iraq, outside the powers of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition. Following a meeting, the two political parties issues a joint statement in which they claimed that a coalition will be formed to unify visions in order to run the local governments where State of Law coalition has no major presence. The parties also agreed on keeping the door open to any State of Law coalition or independent members interested in joining the new coalition. "The new coalition embodies the keenness on the Iraqi people's interests, to take responsibility in building the nation, and to serve the citizens," the statement said. The political leaders pledged to build a wide base that helps on providing opportunities for success to the work of the provincial and local governments in the next phase. The coalition's main goal was outlined as providing "the best service" to the citizens of the new central and southern provinces.