Iraqi government initiates dialogue to end national crisis
Iraqi and international leaders are responding positively to the prime minister's call fior national dialogue among the various political parties.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has issued a call for a national dialogue after tensions between the country's two rival Shiite groups sharply escalated.
The two Shiite camps — followers of populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and an umbrella of pro-Iran Shiite groups known as the Coordination Framework — have taken to the streets campaigning against each other, raising concerns over possible armed clash between the two sides.
Sadrist protesters entered the Green Zone on July 30 and stormed the parliament building. Meanwhile the Coordination Framework organized rival protests on Aug 1, which finished with no clash or confrontation with the Sadrists.
Kadhimi called the same day on the demonstrators to evacuate the parliament and respect state institutions. He also called for forming a national dialogue committee that includes all parties' representatives to chart a solution roadmap.
