Iraq Turmoil: Influential Sunni cleric calls for unity, backs Shiite prime minister

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Iraq Turmoil: Most influential cleric calls for unity, backs PM

Senior Sunni leaders in Baghdad are indicating they could work with the incoming prime minister Haider al-Abadi, a Shiite. He is set to replace the divisive Nouri al-Maliki as Iraq’s new head of government. Can al-Abadi bridge the sectarian rift in Iraq and defeat the Sunni extremists, who call themselves the Islamic State. CCTV America’s Nathan King reports.

Iraq Turmoil: Most influential cleric calls for unity, backs PM

Senior Sunni leaders in Baghdad are indicating they could work with the incoming prime minister Haider al-Abadi, a Shiite. He is set to replace the divisive Nouri al-Maliki as Iraq's new head of government. Can al-Abadi bridge the sectarian rift in Iraq and defeat the Sunni extremists, who call themselves the Islamic State. CCTV America's Nathan King reports.

Getting the support of key figures in the Sunni community like Ali Hatem Suleiman will be key for the new Iraqi government, however, it is unsure whether they can meet the Sunni community’s key concerns.

“We want to see a change in the political process and to see Sunnis get their rights, which they revolted for. Therefore, we will remain pessimistic until we see deeds and not words. We always try to wait and see what is the program of the government, and what is its vision and if we did not feel any chance, then we will go on with our revolt.” – Ali Hatem Suleiman, Head of Dulaimi Tribe

As he moves to succeed the much-maligned Nouri al-Maliki as Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi has called on the whole country to unite against the Islamist threat. Sunni leaders, including Ali Hatem Suleiman, have said the Shiite-dominated government must first restore Sunnis to positions of influence.

There are other signs of a potential political thaw in Iraq. On Friday, an aide to the country’s most influential cleric Grand Ayatollah Sistani called for unity and backed the new Prime Minister. There is also a push for the incoming government to grant more power to the Sunni and Kurdish regions.

The international pressure for reform continues. While Germany’s first aid supplies arrived in the Kurdish north Saturday the German Foreign Minister visited Baghdad to endorse the political transition. Iraq’s acting Foreign Minister offered a message of hope.