[Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki]
Also this week, early results were announced from provincial elections held in neighboring Iraq.The results from last Saturday's elections show Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition won a strong victory over Shi'ite religious parties. Prime Minister Maliki is Shi'ite. But he has taken action against religious extremist military groups.
Fourteen of Iraq's eighteen provinces voted for ruling councils. It was the nation's first election since two thousand five. United Nations officials were heavily involved in planning the elections, which took place without any major violence.The elections are being seen as a vote on Mister Maliki's leadership ahead of national parliamentary elections to be held later this year.
In Washington, President Obama said the provincial elections were very important. He said they showed that Iraqis are ready to take over more of their own security.
And that's IN THE NEWS in VOA Special English, written by Brianna Blake.Get transcripts and MP3s of our programs, and watch Special English on TV, at voaspecialenglish.com.I'm Steve Ember.
|
