New Iraqi cabinet faces big challenges: Neighbours

There was almost universal agreement that Iraqis must work even harder to overcome ethnic and religious differences and to put an end to the insecurity that is plaguing their country.

After weeks of political deadlock led to the formation of a nearly complete cabinet, prime minister-designate Ibrahim Jaafari succeeded Thursday in getting approval from the new national assembly.

However, the two key portfolios of defence and oil have still to be filled, underscoring continuing manoeuvring by the minority Sunni Arabs, dominant under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, to get the best deal they can.

That view was expressed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, who while welcoming what he called an essential step in the Iraqi political process, said the "jockeying (among the various communities) is going to carry on, and instability last, for some time."

Osama Saraya, editorial director at the government magazine Al-Ahram al-Arabi, said "we would hope for a political springtime in Iraq but, alas, the winter continues."

He criticised the weakness of Iraqi exiles who had returned following the fall of Saddam Hussein two years ago and their inability to govern.

Al-Bayan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) spoke of a "hasty delivery by Caesarian" under heavy outside pressure, with "Washington openly intervening to bring it about" after almost three months of horsetrading since the January 30 elections.

The daily said the critical, short-term test for the new government will be to return security to the country.

"More long term, success will depend on its ability to speed up the withdrawal of occupation forces."