Salahal-Din: Iraqiya bloc MP Jamal Gailani disclosed that 178 parliament members signed the request for withdrawing the confidence from Maliki's government, which shall be submitted to President Jalal Talabani.
He expected that the request will be presented to President Talabani by this week.
Gailani added that "great pressures are made on President Talabani to not refer the matter to the parliament or to postpone it till 14 June, the day of parliamentary session, for further discussions".
Iraqiya bloc, in coordination with the Kurdish Alliance and the Sadrist Trend are endeavoring to collect 164 signatures to be presented to President Talabani in order to submit the request to the parliament to withdraw confidence from Maliki's government.
Iraqiya spokeswoman Maysoon al-Damalouji informed Aswat al-Iraq on Thursday that its bloc succeeded in collecting more than 163 signatures, after one day of Talabani's demand to have 164 signatures.
On Tuesday and Wednesday last, talks were held in Arbil and Sulaimaniya, where the main leaders took part to determine their positions on the political crisis and withdrawing confidence from Maliki's government.
On Saturday last, the time limit given to the National Alliance by Najaf meeting will end, which demanded a replacement for Maliki.
Parliament speaker Usama Nujaifi said that Najaf meeting gave a one week notice to the National Alliance to replace Maliki; otherwise the confidence will be withdrawn from his government.
Iraqiya bloc, in coordination with Ahrar bloc, affiliate to the Sadrist Trend, are threatening to withdraw confidence, while the Kurdish stand is still not clear, despite continued criticism made by Kurdish region president Masoud Barzani.
Barzani accused Maliki of "unilaterally controlling power" and described his government as "a loser" and threatened that the Kurdish people will demand self-determination and the proclamation of the Kurdish state.
Premier Maliki hinted on possibility of dissolving the parliament and holding early elections.
© Aswat Aliraq 2012
