Sunday, May 21, 2006

Iraq's unity government takes office

BAGHDAD, Iraq – After five months of often bitter wrangling over Cabinet posts, Iraq's unity government took office Saturday (May 20) and vowed to fight the insurgency, restore stability and set the stage for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops.

The new permanent government resulting from December's elections in which 12 million Iraqis participated has been portrayed by Western officials as the best hope for changing the dynamics of violence in Iraq. But it must expand control and persuade insurgents, assassins and militias to stand down, with no guarantee of success.

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