The government-funded al-Sabah newspaper published a main headline that read, 'National Security Council resumes meetings, political leaders adopt national reconciliation, collaborative work slogans.' "(Iraqi) president and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki outlined to U.S. President Bush in a video conference the current Iraqi situation and the achievements made with regards to the formation of a quadripartite committee, including the presidency council and the prime minister..." the newspaper wrote.
Citing a presidential statement, the newspaper said that the Political Council for National Security will resume its meetings to resolve all problems related to the work of the Iraqi government and parliament. The council will also discuss the steps taken towards national reconciliation and progress made towards improving security measures. The U.S. president reiterated his country's support for the Iraqi people and highlighted the importance of practicing collaborative leadership and continuing joint work.
In an article entitled, 'Political front...the long-awaited platform,' the editor-in-chief of al-Sabah newspaper called on the quadripartite front to announce its political platform to the general public.
Commenting on the return of the Sadrist bloc to the Iraqi parliament, al-Sabah quoted the bloc's chief Nassar al-Rubaie as saying, "The suspension was terminated after the bloc's demands were approved during a parliamentary session." According to al-Rubaie, the demands put forward by the Sadrists, followers of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr, were strengthening the Iraqi government's role and forming a committee to supervise the reconstruction of the two Shiite shrines in Samarra that were destroyed by repeated bombing attacks.
On its second page, the newspaper published a main headline that read, 'PM leaves for Tehran, new round of Iranian-U.S. talks begins.' "(Iraqi) Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zibari said that a second round of U.S.-Iranian talks on Iraq will take place in Baghdad soon to follow up on their last meeting, which was held in May 2007," the newspaper wrote. Quoting Iranian sources, the newspaper also revealed that al-Maliki will visit Iran soon to meet with Iranian officials and discuss issues of mutual concern.
On its front-page al-Taakhi newspaper, issued by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), published the following headlines: 'Al-Maliki visits Tehran, urges it not to back armed groups, says Iraqi politicians consider keeping long-term relations with Washington,' 'Bush in secure video conference with presidency council members, prime minister' and 'U.N. secretary general: U.S. withdrawal from Iraq will add to the deterioration of situation, Iraqi situation should be carefully considered.'
Al-Adala newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), led by Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, quoted MP Wail Abdul Latif from the Iraqi National Slate as accusing Saudi Arabia of inciting Iraqi parliamentarians to oppose the oil and gas law. The newspaper also quoted MP Khaled Shawani from the Kurdistan Alliance as indicating that the Iraqi parliament agreed to send Peshmerga forces to Kirkuk to protect the city from terrorist attacks and purge it of armed groups.
Al-Mada newspaper, an independent daily, published the following front-page headlines: 'Sadrist bloc returns, IAF expected to follow suit,' 'Iran, U.S. begin second round of talks in Baghdad,' '700 kg of TNT found in al-Adel district' and 'Curfew, wide-scale military operation in Ramadi.'
