The Eid al-Adha holiday earlier this week delayed negotiations over the formation of the largest parliamentary bloc in Iraq. The Kurdish and Sunni powers are, meanwhile, standing firm in their stances and conditions from the Shiite forces. If fulfilled, the conditions will determine which Shiite bloc they will join. Shiite Hikma movement politburo member Dr. Salaheddine al-Arbawi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Sunni and Kurdish stances will push the Shiite forces once again to form a bloc without them. Their stubbornness is costing them a “national opportunity,” he said. “The Shiites will be able to form the largest and most powerful bloc,” he added. “The Sunnis and Kurds still have time to think realistically,” he continued. “Should the Shiites form one large bloc, then that will mark the end of the spirit of national cohesion,” Arbawi stated. “The majority of Sunnis and Kurds can choose the majority of Shiites and forge ahead with a united project,” he went on to say. The remaining Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds can then form an opposition. Calculations over the formation of axes and alliances do not build a nation, he noted. Atheel al-Nujaifi, of the Sunni “national axis”, meanwhile told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Sunnis’ “only demand” is to build a state that ensures the rights of all the Iraqi people. The Sunnis are now choosing between two Shiite blocs. They are not making unreasonable demands, but they can be fulfilled, he stressed. “We will go with whoever responds realistically to our demands,” he revealed. The largest parliament bloc will hold power over who will be named prime minister, who will in turn form a new government. President Fuad Masum held talks on Friday with Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi on the latest political developments, stressing the need to speed up efforts to form the largest parliamentary bloc. They also stressed the need to protect and cement the democratic process, said a presidential statement obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat. The presidency has yet to set a date for the new parliament to convene for the first time following the May elections. Masum’s aide, Amir al-Kinani told Asharq Al-Awsat, however, that the meeting will likely be held on September 1 or 2.