Hope in Iraq

The emergence of Moqtada Al Sadr, the firebrand Shi’ite Muslim cleric, as Iraq’s kingmaker following the inconclusive result in the general election will inevitably raise concerns in Western policy-making circles.

Mr Al Sadr first came to prominence following the Us-led coalition’s ill-fated intervention to remove Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, when he was at the forefront of the Iranian-backed campaign to undermine the mission. Now, more than a decade later, Mr Al Sadr finds himself in the position of negotiating the formation of the next Iraqi administration after his coalition won the largest number of seats.

The good news, so far as Iraq’s political prospects are concerned, is that Mr Al Sadr is a very different proposition today compared with the pro-iranian cheerleader of yesteryear.

As someone who has witnessed first-hand the devastation wrought by years of brutal conflict, Mr Al Sadr says his overriding priority is to rebuild the country.

To this end, he has indicated he wants to form a government of technocrats who can deliver the reform, security and prosperity that Iraqis crave. He also wants a government that is “inclusive”, and contains representatives of the Sunni and Kurdish communities who have often felt excluded since Saddam’s demise.

As he did not stand as candidate in the election, Mr Al Sadr cannot serve as prime minister, and so has instead sought the counsel of Iraq’s current leader, Haider Al Abadi. This is certainly the type of approach that is needed if Iraq is to end the sectarian hatred that has been such a blight on its recent past.