London-based al-Hayat, however, stood out by presenting high-quality reporting on the handover and the political deals that were made in anticipation of the departure of the British forces from the city. According to the paper, the Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki presented a “commitment” to the US Army that “the lines of supply of Coalition Forces will not be attacked” following the British withdrawal. Basra is the southernmost province in Iraq, and is the mandatory route for supplies coming into Iraq from neighboring Kuwait. The same goes for all goods coming through Basra’s port, one of Iraq’s few seaports.
Most interestingly, according to the London-based paper, the political situation in the city is currently stabilized by a “momentary balance” between the three major Shi’a parties, in the framework of an agreement “made with Iranian brokerage.” Currently, al-Fadhila party has a strong presence in the city and the surrounding oil industries (Basra produces and exports the vast majority of Iraq’s oil,) while the Sadrist Current and al-Hakeem’s SIIC are constantly trying to increase their influence in the strategic city.
According to the political arrangement, as described by al-Hayat, al-Fadhila will maintain control over the security of the southern oil company (and the financial benefits that come along with that,) while the SIIC will be in charge of the security agencies in the city. The Sadrist Current will also “maintain a strong presence” in the province, with a tacit understanding that its elements and leaders will not be targeted by the Army and Police. ‘Ali al-Sa’idi, a local Sadrist leader, told al-Hayat that his party “signed a document, committing to respect the law and the security services, while, in exchange, no one will be bearing arms against the Sadrist Current.”
Another partial exception was Saudi-funded al-Sharq al-Awsat, which headlined “Basra returns to Iraqis today ... and leaps into the unknown.” The paper reflected Saudi fears of “the Iranian influence” that might witness a sharp rise in the city through several pro-Iranian militias that maintain a strong presence in the province. And as British forces departed from their main base in the city’s airport, al-Quds al-‘Arabi reported that the last day of British control witnessed a missile attack by an unknown group against the British units.
Az-Zaman, on the other hand, relayed the statements of the national Security adviser, Muaffaq al-Rubai’i, who announced during the handover ceremony (where he represented PM al-Maliki) that today’s event “represents a victory for Iraqis against terrorism,” adding that Iraqis should unite “and disregard those who come from beyond the borders.” Meanwhile Basra’s governor, Muhammad al-Wa'ili, said that the government will be “a sharp sword against those who will attempt to destabilize the city’s security.”
In other news, Kull al-‘Iraq daily said that “Iraq’s political leaders” made an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government to allow six additional months to the committee charged with applying the 140th article of the constitution.
The 140th article concerns the embattled city of Kirkuk, which, according to the 2005 constitution, should decide by popular referendum whether it remains in its current status or joins the Kurdistan Region. The referendum, which according the constitution, needs to be held within the current year, is to be preceded by a period of “normalization,” whereby (mostly Kurdish) Kirkukis who were repatriated from the city by Saddam’s regime are returned to their homes, while (mostly Arab) families that were brought in by the Iraqis state are to be returned to their areas of origin.
The UN-brokered agreement acknowledges that the referendum cannot be held before the year’s end, especially that the process of “normalization” is not yet complete, and that the city’s voters are yet to be fully registered.
Meanwhile, al-Quds al-‘Arabi and al-Hayat reported that the Shi’a cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is currently studying in Najaf in order to become an Ayatollah, the highest clerical rank in Shi’ism. Al-Sadr, who suspended his seminary studies years ago, will also impose a “religious examination” on all Sadrists, passing the test will be an essential condition to remain in the movement, al-Hayat said. A Sadrist leader, Asma’ al-Musawi, refused to reveal the names of Sadr’s mentors “for security reasons,” but indicated that Sadr is suspending his political activism, and refusing to meet with any public figures, while he pursues his studies in Najaf.
