Maliki: Let Me Lead

In his first interview with Western media since the hard-fought elections, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki played the role of peacemaker and said Sunni Arabs would take a major role in Iraq’s next government. The Shiite prime minister appeared confident in his role, despite his State of Law alliance coming in second to Iraqiya in parliament seats. Maliki’s supporters have alleged fraud and are demanding a recount and he has agreed to accept the results of the ongoing manual recount. A spokesman for Iraqiya responded to Maliki’s invitation to help him construct the government: "I can tell you it seems a funny offer. We are the ones who should be forming the government, not the other way around.”