Iraqi PM: Insurgent Response To Amnesty Is Positive
Nji Che - All Headline News Staff Writer Baghdad, Iraq (AHN) - Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says some militant groups have responded positively to a national amnesty aimed at stopping sectarian violence in the country. Maliki says his government would consider people who have not involved in bloodshed or crimes. He notes that, "I am optimistic and I confirm that a lot of those who were involved in acts under the name of resistance... have directly contacted us." The Prime Minister has welcomed the move which he believes will contribute to national security and reconstruction of the country. Eleven Sunni insurgent groups have promised to stop attacks, but they insist foreign troops should leave the country over the next couple of years. Maliki did not rule out the condition. He noted that it would be difficult to get the troops out of Iraq by then, citing security concerns. Iraq counts up to 25 known insurgent groups. According to Naseer al-Ani, a member of the most influential Sunni political movement, 70% of the Sunni militant groups are ready to accept the amnesty offer if it is well administered. Although the national reconciliation plan has already received positive feedback, some extreme militants have spurned the offer. The success of the initiative will also depend on other causes of sectarian violence. The Sunnis are particularly concerned over the strong Shia militias who are currently blamed for sectaria |
