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BAGHDAD - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's unity government has plunged deeper into crisis after four secularist ministers withdrew from cabinet meetings, less than a week after the main Sunni Arab bloc quit.
A total of 17 ministers, nearly half of Maliki's cabinet, have now quit or are boycotting meetings at a time when he is under growing pressure from frustrated US officials to make demonstrable progress in reconciling Iraq's warring sects.
"We are still in the government but we are boycotting cabinet meetings," said Human Rights Minister Wijdan Michael, one of the four ministers from the secularist party of former interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi.
The cabinet boycott means Maliki sets off on Tuesday for visits to Turkey and Iran this week, with signs he is losing control of his government back home.
Washington has increased pressure on Iraq's leaders, accusing them of failing to make political progress.
- REUTERS
