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BASRA, IRAQ - OCTOBER 18: People gather around a Land Rover as it arrives at the village Al Houta on October 18 2008 near Basra, Iraq. The trip by the 51 Sqn Royal Air Force Regiment Force Protection Wing was part of a 'key leader engagement' (KLE) visit to the village close to the Basra Airbase to recruit local labour and engage with the village shiek. Visits of this type are seen as key in efforts to continue winning the support of the local Iraqi population. Although improved security in the region has brought some benefits such as improved trade and commerce, much of the infrastructure remains in a poor state of repair. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated that the number of UK troops could be scaled down - especially as the security situation in the south of the country continues to improve.
Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks during a campaign rally in the rain at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia, September 27, 2008.
A puppy stands on a truck carrying people to be evacuated from the area in preparation for the approach of Hurricane Gustav in Batabano, on the southern coast of Cuba, August 30, 2008. Powerful Hurricane Gustav roared toward western Cuba on Saturday with 125 mph (205 kph) winds on its way to the oil-rich Gulf of Mexico after a deadly pass through the Caribbean.
BANGKOK, THAILAND - AUGUST 30: A member of Anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) stands behind barbed wire outside Government on August 30, 2008, in Bangkok, Thailand. The protesters want to unseat the seven-month old coalition government lead by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej.
Malaysia's former Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim speaks during a press conference in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008. Zaid has accused the ruling party of pandering to the ethnic Malay Muslim majority and threatening decades of harmony among the country's racially diverse communities.
The 76th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree stands after the lighting ceremony in New York December 3, 2008.
South Korean children hold up a "Love Pot" during a charity event to raise funds for the needy, on a street in Seoul on December 4, 2008. The event was co-sponsored by the Korea branch of the global charity group World Vision and businessmen.
An Indian policeman keeps vigil outside an immigration centre at the military ceasefire line or Line of Control during the opening of a trade link at Chakka-da-Bagh, about 250 km (155 miles) northwest of Jammu, October 21, 2008. Trucks loaded with apples, onions and nuts crossed the frontier in divided Kashmir for the first time in decades on Tuesday as nuclear-armed India and Pakistan opened the trade link aimed at easing tension.
Pakistani rangers stand near a hoarding on the military ceasefire line or Line of Control in Tetrinote, about 250 km (155 miles) northwest of Jammu, October 21, 2008. Trucks loaded with apples, onions and nuts crossed the frontier in divided Kashmir for the first time in decades on Tuesday as nuclear-armed India and Pakistan opened the trade link aimed at easing tension.
SRINAGAR, INDIA - OCTOBER 17 : Children watch as family members work on copper handicrafts October 17, 2008 in Srinagar, Kashmir. The entire Kashmir handicrafts industry will be getting a boost in expected revenue after Line Of Control (LOC) Srinagar - Muzaffarabad road opens up today for commercial trade after decades of closure. Given the ongoing political turmoil, lack of tourism and constant threat of violence the opening of a new trade route with Pakistan is positive news for the economy. The region exports billions of Indian rupees, sources estimate about 15 billion making handicrafts the highest earner of foreign currency for the state.
People relax on the sea front near the Trident hotel, one of the sites of the recent militant attacks, in Mumbai December 02, 2008. Pakistan offered on Tuesday to help India investigate the militant assault on Mumbai and said it would "frame a response" to an Indian demand that it hand over 20 of India's most wanted men. India has blamed Islamist militants based in Pakistan for last week's attacks in India's financial capital that killed 183 people.
I admit Al Maliki surprised the Sunni political forces with his firm and strict position against militias, particularly in Basra. I also admit he gained significant points in crystallising a common trust with wide Sunni groups, yet it must be noted Al Maliki did that in order to strengthen the influence of militias affiliated to the Al Dawa Party and to Abdul Aziz Al Hakim's party. 
Surely Al Maliki has lost the support of Al Sadr who has a significant popular following in Shiite cities
If so then the Basra battle was for Al Maliki and Al Hakim and not for the Iraqi state and respect for the law. The coming days will determine which of the two analyses is correct.
I think if Al Maliki considers what the US and Al Qaida are thinking of the only beneficiary will be the lawless militias and as a result Iraqi state respect will be weak and Iraqis will face problems and suffering because of the militias' ongoing actions
I do not exaggerate if I say that the followers consider Al Maliki as their mortal enemy after the US occupation. In turn, Al Maliki won the trust of a large number of Shiite intellectuals and elites who complained repeatedly that the militants' behaviour did not respect laws or education
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