Iraqi Sunni Arabs continue talks to end constitution boycott

Sunni Arab members of a constitutional committee continued talks on Sunday with the government and parliament members in a bid to end a Sunni walkout triggered by the murder of three colleagues.

"What we demands are better environment to draw up the constitution," said Salih al-Mutlak, a spokesman for the umbrella Sunni group called Iraqi Council for National Dialogue.

"We demand an international investigation into the killing of the Sunni constitution writers, as we have already agreed on creating a secure atmosphere for all," Mutlak said.

He added that the Iraqi government is not qualified for such investigation, "as we believe that the crime was committed by militias belong to a party in the government."

He warned that the constitution will be rejected if the constitution is written without the Sunni Arab participation.

Last Tuesday, Mejbil al-Sheikh Issa, Aziz Ibrahim and Dhamin Hassan al-Ubaidi were gunned down in broad daylight in central Baghdad.

The three were among the 17 Sunni Arab members in the 71-member committee tasked with drafting a permanent constitution by Aug. 15.

Source: Xinhua