Iraqi PM invites politicians to join new bloc

BAGHDAD, July 7 (Reuters) Iraq's Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today called on political groups to join a proposed new alliance that would cut across sectarian lines and support his embattled government.

''This front is open to all those who agree with us over the necessity of improving the performance of the government, its (institutions) and in facing the threats against it,'' Maliki told a news conference.

His remarks follow reports in recent weeks that the ruling Shi'ite Alliance and two big Kurdish parties, which together hold a majority in parliament, planned to form an alliance in the wake of defections from the government by some politicians.

The main Sunni Arab bloc is boycotting cabinet and parliament meetings over what it says is unfair treatment of its members, although the move also reflects the deep sectarian divide in Iraqi politics.

Six ministers loyal to anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr quit the government in April over Maliki's refusal to set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq.

Sadr's parliamentary bloc is also boycotting the legislature in protest at the bombing of a revered Shi'ite shrine last month.

Some Sunni Arab politicians and followers of Sadr, responding to the earlier reports of the proposed alliance, have said the move was a way to ''sideline'' them.

But Maliki said his critics were free to join if they were committed to resolving difference by peaceful means.

''It is open to all and we invite all those who participate in politics to join ... but it's unacceptable for them to have one foot in terrorism, violence and extremism,'' Maliki said.

A Maliki aide said this week the prime minister would shrink his cabinet to improve the government's performance amid frustration at its failure to deliver on security and political reform.

Maliki has said for months he wanted a reshuffle to cull inefficient ministers and bring in more technocrats. On Tuesday, he acknowledged the government's performance had been poor.

Cabinet posts reflect a quota system largely based on seats held in parliament by the Shi'ite majority, minority Sunni Arabs and Kurds. This has made many ministers more loyal to their political and sectarian blocs than Maliki.

REUTERS SV RN1810