PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE NURI AL-MALIKI SAID ON TUESDAY HE HOPED TO FORM IN THE NEXT TWO DAYS IRAQ'S FIRST FULL-TERM GOVERNMENT SINCE SADDAM HUSSEIN WAS TOPPLED, AFTER AN AGREEMENT TO FILL KEY POSTS WITH INDEPENDENTS. ENDING FIVE MONTHS OF STALEMATE SINCE A DECEMBER ELECTION, MALIKI, A SHI'ITE MUSLIM, SAID HE EXPECTED TO ASSEMBLE "TODAY OR TOMORROW" A GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY WHICH WASHINGTON SEES AS THE BEST HOPE TO AVERT A SECTARIAN CIVIL WAR. "WE HAVE ACHIEVED MUCH AND THERE IS LITTLE LEFT TO DO," MALIKI, FROM THE RULING SHI'ITE ALLIANCE, TOLD A NEWS CONFERENCE. "WE HAVE DONE 90 PERCENT," HE SAID. "BUT I WANT TO GIVE MORE TIME TO THE LEADERS (OF POLITICAL BLOCS) TO FINISH WHAT IS LEFT." UNDER A CONSTITUTIONAL DEADLINE, MALIKI HAS UNTIL MAY 22 TO PRESENT A CABINET TO PARLIAMENT, WHICH IS TO SIT ON WEDNESDAY, REUTERS REPORTED.
