Iraq's Vice-President accuses PM of Baghdad blastsDecember 23, 2011 - 09:44 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Iraq's Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi has said Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is to blame for a sudden surge of violence in the country, BBC reports. Dozens of people were killed in a string of blasts across the capital, Baghdad, on Thursday, December 22. Hashemi, who is subject to an arrest warrant on terror charges, said that Maliki should be focusing on security not "chasing patriotic politicians". The crisis has sparked fears of renewed sectarian conflict in Iraq. Maliki is from the majority Shia Arab group while Hashemi is one of the country's most prominent Sunni politicians. He has been accused of orchestrating terror attacks on officials and security forces, a charge he denies. In response, the main Sunni political bloc, al-Iraqiyya, is blockading parliament and the cabinet, putting the future of the fragile year-old unity government in doubt. "We should blame Mr Maliki, he started a national crisis and it's not easy to control," Mr Hashemi told the BBC's Arabic Service. "The Iraqis have a right to be worried." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865. Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova. Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan. Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |