Iraq leader in pledge to unite country

IRAQ Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari pledged to unite Iraq and fight terrorism as Iraq’s first democratically-elected government was sworn in yesterday amid continuing violence.

“You all know the heavy legacy inherited by this government. We are afflicted by corruption, lack of services, unemployment and mass graves,” Mr al-Jaafari told lawmakers after taking the oath of office before the National Assembly. “I would like to tell the widows and orphans ... your sacrifices have not gone in vein.”

One by one, Mr al-Jaafari and members of his Cabinet walked up to a podium and pledged to defend Iraq and its people. But five ministries, including the key defence and oil portfolios, remained in temporary hands and two deputy prime minister’s slots were unfilled as Mr al-Jaafari struggled to balance the demands of Iraq’s competing factions. Mr al-Jaafari had promised to form a government that would win over members of the disaffected Sunni Arab minority, believed to make up the backbone of the country’s deadly insurgency.