Layla Yousif Rahema

From May 26 to 27, priests and bishops of the Eastern Churches met in Sulaymaniyah in Kurdistan to discuss the common challenges of Catholics and Orthodox in view of the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East. Main theme of the meeting, the exodus of Christians that affects both communities and is ignored by the West.

Economic aid from Kurdistan interrupted, collection money halved due to emigration of the faithful, Mgr. Warduni sets out the Chaldean Churches’ plan "to help pay the salaries of priests and catechists".

The villagers near Mosul demand a public apology. An "isolated, but very serious” episode. The Kurdish military commander of the group promises that the guilty will be judged in court.

Failure to determine the winner in last month’s election and taking into account the wishes of not only the United States but also Iran and Saudi Arabia are making it hard to form a new government.

With 92 per cent of ballots counted, secular Al-Iraqiyah coalition heading for victory over the Kurdistania alliance. The province is strategically important because of its huge oil reserves. Former prime minister, who is ahead of outgoing PM al-Maliki, might also score a victory at the national level as well.

The governor blames Kurdish militias and parties, calls for UN-EU investigation. Kurdish sources tell AsiaNews that al-Qaeda and inefficient law enforcement are to blame.

The outgoing premier dominates in Baghdad and the south; Allawi is 70-90% in the north and west. Turnout of 62%. Difficulties in forming a new government.

Turnout exceeds 50 per cent despite attacks and threats. Counting is underway. Maliki and Allawi appear destined for a head-to-head showdown. Still, fear is part of the future.

The election begins today for certain military and service sectors. Double suicide attack to election polls in Baghdad. The Shiites are divided into two camps, even the Kurds. The novelty of the secular party of Allawi. The game play is between a unitary and centralized state and a federal state.

Triple bombing hit Baquba today. Next Sunday, the country will hold its second post-Saddam parliamentary elections. In spite of a few minor successes, problems between Sunnis, Shias and Kurds remain unresolved.

The elections held on 7 March. Al-Maliki approved the exclusion of 511 candidates linked to the Ba'ath Party. Among those excluded are Sunni, Shiite moderates and members of non-confessional parties. Tension between President Talabani (a Kurd) and Premier (Shia).

Opposition leaders are barely keeping up with the pressure coming from their base. Mousavi only calls for political reforms within the framework of the Islamic Republic. The green wave wants the end of the dictatorship. Mystery surrounds Mousavi's and Karroubi's presence in Tehran. Ahmadinejad is increasingly hard-line.