Some in Iraq view Ayatollah Sistani's stance skeptically, arguing that he remains by definition a sectarian figure, concerned above all with ensuring Shiite political control.
Initially viewed as a malleable sectarian figure when he emerged as a compromise candidate for prime minister after Iraq's last parliamentary elections in 2005, Mr. Maliki has since demonstrated a willingness to act forcefully in the name of Iraqi nationalism and unity, even against those of his own Shiite sect.
There are some Shia leaders who are angry at calls by Mr Khalilzad and other US officials for the Shia to help form a unity government in which non-sectarian figures control the army and police.
Even for Iraq's secular politicians, who have been virtually eclipsed by sectarian and religious figures and who received none of the seven positions filled this weekend, the mood on Sunday was not altogether dark.
Now, a nation with virtually no democratic track record and a history of sectarian warfare must figure a way to move forward with a government that comprises four major blocs — two Shiite, one Sunni-backed and multi-sectarian, and one Kurdish — each with a different agenda.
Despite growing concern among American diplomats and allies in the region that the Iraqi Prime Minister was an increasingly sectarian and despotic figure, Biden considered Maliki the only viable option, and was confident that he would allow a contingent of U.S. forces to stay.
Sectarian Tensions Build in Northern Syria.
In total, there have been 40 recorded incidents of sectarian violence this year, the figures show, up from 24 last year.
A non-sectarian, non-partisan figure of the broad left, he represented for me one of the best aspects of a very English tradition.
American military figures show that sectarian killings in Baghdad have decreased substantially.
