IRAQ - Aug 1 - Sunni Front Quits Iraqi Government.

Iraq's main Sunni Arab political coalition announces that it is pulling out of the Shi'ite-led national unity government, in what may become a significant blow to hopes for Sunni-Shi'ite reconciliation. A spokesman for the Iraqi Consensus Front told a press conference that the six ministers who are members of the alliance would submit their resignations, although front member Tariq al-Hashemi would remain as vice-president. Rafie al-Issawi, a front parliamentarian, said his coalition took the step after the government of Nouri al-Maliki, the Shi'ite PM, failed to respond to a series of demands, notably the release of detainees held without charge and the disbandment of militias. "The government is continuing with its arrogance, refusing to change its stand and has slammed shut the door to any meaningful reform", Issawi said. The front had issued an ultimatum last week but, given the slow pace of Iraqi decision-making, its demands were almost certain to have been unmet. The withdrawal follows several months of rising tension between the government and Sunni Arab politicians. The front briefly withdrew its members from parliament after one of its number was ousted as speaker. It also suspended its ministers' participation in cabinet when an arrest warrant was issued against one member for allegedly planning the assassination of a parliamentarian. Sunni politicians say that there has also been an internal dispute between front members who want to sever their ties with the Shi'ite-led government and act as an opposition, and those who want to take what they can from a power-sharing agreement. The group's decision to keep Hashemi as vice-president suggests it wants to keep options open. Meanwhile, US forces in Iraq recorded their lowest total of fatalities last month since the beginning of the anti-insurgent "surge", with about 80 troops killed during July, compared with more than 100 in each of the three preceding months.