Iraq's secular list that narrowly won the March election said on Sunday the country's most influential Shiite cleric has assured them that no group will be excluded from the new government. Ayad Allawi, the ex-Premier, said Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani told him during a meeting Sunday that national unity is crucial and that a new government should be formed as quickly as possible.
The cleric also told Iraqiya leaders he has "no veto" on which politicians serve, alliance members said, according to the AP.
"We found a high degree of understanding emphasizing dialogue, and the emergence of government through dialogue without marginalization or exclusion of one party. The position (of Sistani) supports national unity,." Allawi said. In response to a question about not meeting his main rival the current PM Nouri with Maliki, Allawi replied: "We are committed to conducting the meeting and work to achieve it in the upcoming days. We think the meeting can solve many problems and obstacles that stand in front of the formation of the government."
