August 30, 2007 (LPAC)--In an interview to the U.S. based McClatchy papers published today, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki detailed how his efforts at national reconciliation--not the surge--have established some security for Iraq. Al Maliki also explains in the interview how the "Sadrists" (followers of Shi'ite cleric, Moqtada al Sadr) are split between nationalists (patriots) on the one hand, and gangsters on the other. The former faction, he says, supports his government. 

This description may shed light on Al Sadr's announcement, widely reported today, that he would start a six-month ceasefire. Al-Maliki also explains what mistakes were made by the occupying forces as well as by forces inside Iraq. He rejects all calls for his resignation, and says he will stay.

As LPAC reported on August 25, Vice President Dick Cheney was trying to organize a coup d'etat against al-Maliki, and one of the main "replacements" backed by the Anglo-Americans is Iyad Allawi, whose payments to a major Republican Party lobbying firm are now under scrutiny by the U.S. Justice Department, according to Newsweek.