Iraq VP calls on Basra to take responsibility to calm the city

BAGHDAD, May 18 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi vice president Adel Abdalmahdi said on Thursday that the religious and political parties must take responsibility of calming down the situation in the city of Basra in Southern Iraq.

Abdalmahdi comments came after a joint meeting of the Iraqi presidential council members who were assembled to discuss recent security developments in the city.

Iraqi president Jalal Talabani commented on the meeting saying there will be another gathering today on the situation in Basra.

Talabani also said that the security situation will be fully under control when Iraqi political parties form a unified government that will take full responsibility of Iraq.

Abdalmahdi who was assigned to follow up the situation there said they were making calls on Basra district council and religious figures it was important to abide by the county's laws and calm the situation there.

He added personal interests and political agendas were what got the city to its current situation.

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