ARBIL, Iraq - Kurdish leaders said Saturday an agreement with the Shiites on an Iraqi coalition government was now down to sharing the presidency and cabinet posts with the participation of others.
"We, the two main lists have agreed on the principles and the door is open now for the other lists," said outgoing Vice President Ruj Shawis, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
"We have now entered into the details of forming the government but we need a few more sessions to reach a definitive agreement."
He confirmed that both sides have agreed that the thorny issue of the fate of the disputed northern oil city of Kirkuk and the Kurdish peshmerga militia will be dealt with in accordance with the interim Transitional Administrative Law passed under the previous US-led occupation.
KDP leader Massoud Barzani met with the other Kurdish chieftain Jalal Talabani in a resort outside the northern Kurdish town of Arbil to discuss a draft of the shape of the next government.
"These talks will shape the destiny of the Kurdish people, so we have to discuss them with our other brothers in as much detail as possible," said Talabani. He added that he would favour the participation of as many groupings as possible in the next government including Sunnis and the coalition headed by outgoing prime minister Iyad Allawi.
"We want the Sunnis and Dr. Iyad Allawi to take part."
A senior Shiite negotiator, Jawad Maliki, said a proposal has been presented to Allawi's coalition and that an answer is expected on Sunday.
Allawi, whose list won 40 seats in the new parliament, has previously turned down a role in the Shiite-Kurdish coalition if it meant occupying a post other than a premiership, according to Maliki.
The Shiite United Iraqi Alliance, which holds 146 seats, has already nominated Ibrahim Jafaari for the post.
Talabani is widely expected to be president, while a Shiite and Sunni will occupy the two vice-presidencies.
There is talk among Shiite circles that Allawi, a secular Shiite, may be offered one of those deputy slots.
Outgoing president Ghazi al-Yawar, a Sunni tribal magnate, is a strong contender for the speakership of parliament, which was inaugurated last Wednesday, according to Maliki.
Maliki was hopeful a deal on the government would be reached before a second parliamentary session tentatively set for Thursday.
03/19/2005 14:58 GMT