Iraqi politicians criticize Maliki's Nobel nomination

Iraqi politicians criticized the government on Thursday for nominating Puppet Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying it was too early to talk about prizes for peace in a country still torn by violence.

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The Iraqi government says Maliki should be considered for the award for his role in "establishing peace and security in Iraq," where violence has fallen dramatically over the past year. Its nomination is largely symbolic: governments have no say over the process of awarding the prize, and scores of people are nominated every year with little chance of receiving the award.

Last month saw Iraq's lowest official death toll from violence since the start of the war, but the country still sees daily bomb attacks. "I believe it is better to wait till the political and security situation in Iraq is stabilized," said independent parliamentarian Usama al-Nujaifi. Sunni Arab lawmaker Izzedeen al-Dawla, said: "When the last displaced Iraqi returns, or the amnesty, justice and accountability laws are fully implemented and he achieves reconciliation among Iraqis, this will be a greater prize ... Consequently I believe the (nomination) is premature." Zaman