Christian areas within central government authority, Nujaifi

BAGHDAD/ Aswat al-Iraq: Parliament Speaker Usama Nujaifi called the Christians to unite ranks to face future challenges, stressing that no trespassing of their areas because it is the responsibility of the central government.

During a meeting with a Chaldean, Syriac and Assyrian delegation, the situation of the Christians was discussed.

In a statement by his office, copy received by Aswat al-Iraq, Nujaifi stressed that the Christians are "original and free component", as well as an important segment of Iraqi cultural diversification.

The delegation pointed out the sufferings of the Christian areas and lack of services, calling to open new areas to counter congestion dilemma in their present areas.

Earlier, many Christian political circles called, more than once, to create a new province in Ninewa plateau, east of Mosul, to accommodate the Christians there.

The Christians used to form 3.1% of Iraqi population according to 1947 census, but their total population reached to 1-2 million in 1980s.
These figures were reduced due to the Iraqi wars, deterioration of economic situations and 2003 war.