London forum debates Iraq's Shiite-Sunni divide
A conference titled "Policy, Power and Sectarian Identities in the MENA Region" was held Tuesday in London, bringing together top academics and politicians from across the Middle-East.
Among the issues the conference addressed was the potential situation in Iraq once the Islamic State is defeated. Participants at the Chatham House debate warned that Iraq's Sunni population must be convinced to stay united as a nation and support the Iraqi government.
Speaking at the event, Barham Salih, former prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said sectarianism in Iraq has been exaggerated, placing blame on the country's political system after 2003 for the social divisions.
Salih said Iraq suffered from: "Abuse of resources, corruption, the fragmentation of the political system and the many mistakes that went into the building of Iraq's security forces that were wrapped in corruption."
Among the issues the conference addressed was the potential situation in Iraq once the Islamic State is defeated. Participants at the Chatham House debate warned that Iraq's Sunni population must be convinced to stay united as a nation and support the Iraqi government.
Speaking at the event, Barham Salih, former prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, said sectarianism in Iraq has been exaggerated, placing blame on the country's political system after 2003 for the social divisions.
Salih said Iraq suffered from: "Abuse of resources, corruption, the fragmentation of the political system and the many mistakes that went into the building of Iraq's security forces that were wrapped in corruption."
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