Iraqi Prime Minister wants Petraeus fired

The UK's Telegraph reports that the feuding between US General David Petraeus and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is getting so out of hand and personal that al-Maliki is threatening to arm Shiite militias unless the general leaves:

Although the call was rejected, aides to both men admit that Mr Maliki and Gen David Patraeusengage in frequent stand-up shouting matches, differing particularlyover the US general's moves to arm Sunni tribesmen to fight al-Qa'eda.

OneIraqi source said Mr Maliki used a video conference with Mr Bush tocall for the general's signature strategy to be scrapped. "He told Bushthat if Petraeus continues, he would arm Shia militias," said theofficial. "Bush told Maliki to calm down."

At another meeting with Gen Petraeus, Mr Maliki said: "I can't dealwith you any more. I will ask for someone else to replace you."

This might explain why President Bush and Nouri al-Maliki have been meeting more frequently than usual as of late.

Also, Nouri al-Maliki could just be frustrated about how close the US is to Saudi Arabia.  Aside from the Bush Administration announcing a new $20 billion arms sale with the Sunni-led Saudis, al-Maliki is furious at the Saudi royal family for publishing evidence that he was once an Iranian intelligence agent.

At the moment, the Saudis are trying to prevent the U.S. from leaving because it would allow the new Shiite government in Iraq to develop a more cozy relationship with Iran.  Iran and Saudi Arabia are in the midst of a Mideast proxy war.  The U.S. war in Iraq certainly helped Iran, and now the Saudis fear Tehran's influence might soon reach the Saud Arabian border.