I do not want to withdraw confidence, nor does anyone else, but our first and last request is reform and partnership, and not marginalising the others."
Najaf, Iraq (ANTARA News/AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki needs to be removed for reforms to take place, powerful Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr said on Sunday, adding that his MPs would back a no-confidence vote if needed.

"Reforms are the main goal, and withdrawing confidence precedes these reforms," Sadr told reporters in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, likening the situation to the need to wash before prayers.

"We want to pray, but our prayer will not be correct unless we have ablution before," he said. "The reforms cannot be implemented without putting pressure on the government."

Sadr said he does not want to withdraw confidence from Maliki, but that he would support such a move if needed.

"I do not want to withdraw confidence, nor does anyone else, but our first and last request is reform and partnership, and not marginalising the others," the cleric said.

He also reiterated that if his parliamentary bloc`s votes were needed to unseat Maliki, he would provide them.

"I said, and I am still saying, and this is a promise from my side to the other blocs, that if their votes reach 124 ... I will add to them the remaining 40 votes."

Sadr, the head of the Ahrar parliamentary bloc, an important part of Maliki`s national unity government, has previously criticised the premier as a "dictator" hungry for acclaim, and accused him of seeking to postpone or cancel elections.

Iraq has been hit by a series of intertwined political crises that began in mid-December, with accusations by Iraqiya bloc that Maliki was concentrating power in his hands, and has escalated into calls to unseat him.

The crises have paralysed government, especially parliament, which has passed no significant legislation except for the budget, while other important measures such as a hydrocarbons law regulating the country`s oil sector have been delayed. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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