Iraq: PM Maliki consolidates positionnote

Iraqi PM Nouri Al-Maliki looks to have consolidated position at the end of the government crisis in the country, by winning the Iraqi Parliament’s vote of confidence for his new government on 21/12/10. The following 490-word report sheds light on the subject and tells what about the security and defence portfolios which have remained vacant. It also tells what about Al-Maliki’s regional relations, notably with Saudi Arabia.