A leading Sunni Arab politician in Iraq says his party is ready to join a coalition with Shi'ites and Kurds in the new parliament after Thursday's legislative elections.
Adnan al-Dulaimi, who heads the Iraqi Accordance Front, told a news conference on Saturday that forming a strong coalition is important for protecting the rights of all Iraqis. Many observers inside and outside Iraq hope stronger political participation by Iraq's Sunni Arab minority will ease sectarian tensions and put an end to the insurgency. Sunni Arabs largely boycotted last January's election for an interim national assembly.
On Friday, President Bush said the strong participation from Iraq's Sunni Arabs in Thursday's vote is encouraging, but he said there is still much work ahead. On Sunday evening, Mr. Bush will make a televised address to the American people about Iraq.