Iraq's main Sunni bloc on verge of rejoining govt

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's main Sunni Arab bloc is on the verge of rejoining the Shi'ite-led government after many of its key demands were met, a party spokesman said on Tuesday.

The Accordance Front pulled out of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government last August, demanding the release of mainly Sunni Arab detainees in Iraq's jails and calling for a greater say in security matters.

"Many of our demands have been executed ... sharing of responsibility, the issuance of the amnesty law," said Accordance Front spokesman Salim al-Jubouri, referring to a law passed in February that freed many prisoners.

Jubouri said the Front had put forward names to Maliki for vacant cabinet posts.

Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said Maliki would put the names of the Front politicians and their proposed ministries before a parliamentary vote, but did not say when.

"There has been agreement with the Accordance Front that their share will be six ministerial posts, except the post of the Planning Ministry, which will be decided later," he said.

Getting the Front back in the government is regarded as a key step in reconciling Iraq's factions after years of conflict. Most of the cabinet comprises Shi'ites and Kurds.

(Reporting by Mohammed Abbas and Wisam Mohammed: Editing by Alison Williams)