Crisis for Iraq govt after Sunnis quit -dep PM

BAGHDAD, Aug 1 (Reuters) Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's 15-month-old Shi'ite-led government confronted its biggest crisis after the main Sunni Arab bloc in parliament withdrew its ministers today, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih said.

''This is probably the most serious political crisis we have faced since the passage of the constitution. If unresolved, the implications are grave,'' Salih, a Kurd, told Reuters.

Negotiations on Iraq's new constitution, adopted in a referendum in October 2005, were notoriously difficult, with US officials and others expending much effort on convincing minority Sunni Arabs to take part in the poll and the national elections in December 2005 that brought Shi'ites to power.

Salih said preparations were continuing for a summit of the political leadership of Iraq's Kurdish, Shi'ite and Sunni Arab communities, which would take place in ''the next few days''.

''This will be a crucial meeting to resolve a number of outstanding issues such as the constitutional amendments, laws on oil and gas and deBaathification. The meeting will address the issue of powersharing and governance.

''The crisis is grave and its implications should not be underestimated, but I hope it offers an opportunity to address the causes of political instability afflicting this country.'' The Sunni Accordance Front announced today that it was withdrawing its five ministers and deputy prime minister from the government in protest at Maliki's refusal to meet a list of demands, including a greater say in national security.

The Front has also complained that Maliki has marginalised its ministers, refusing even to talk to Deputy President Tareq al-Hashimi, who is not stepping down at this stage.

REUTERS RN RN1737