By Mussab Al-Khairalla

BAGHDAD, Nov 13 (Reuters) - Iraqi politicians from across the sectarian divide welcomed on Monday Prime Minister Nuri al- Maliki's call for a broad cabinet re-shuffle aimed at stiffening efforts to rein in communal violence.

Plans for the move were announced at a time when public friction over sectarian sensitivities among mainstream political leaders in parliament has reached new levels of irritation.

Ali al-Adeeb, a senior official in Maliki's dominant Shi'ite Alliance bloc said the planned cabinet changes, announced on Sunday, were necessary to tackle "weaknesses" in the government's ability to provide security and basic services.

"We need this crucial step because we can see some ministers performing poorly. This government has a four-year life span and we cannot go on like this. Our people deserve more," he said.

Several lawmakers named the ministries of Health, Justice, Housing and Reconstruction, Transport and Culture as ones expected to see changes. Some also foresaw minor changes to the Interior and Defence ministries at a level below the ministers.

One senior Sunni politician, said the Sunnis' Deputy Prime Minister Salam al-Zobaie, responsible overall for security issues, would also be replaced because he was accused by colleagues of acting out of line with government policies.

Senior Alliance negotiator Hassan al-Shimmari said the changes were expected to be finalised at the end of this year.

The Sunni Accordance bloc also welcomed the changes but insisted on prior discussions before any decisions were made concerning their ministers.

"Principally, there's no problem with a reshuffle," Saleem al-Jubouri, official Accordance spokesman told Reuters. "A cabinet reshuffle is within (Maliki's) rights. We only want to be consulted on changes affecting us."

Several Sunni and Shi'ite lawmakers applauded a decision apparently made by cleric Moqtada al-Sadr to give a free hand to Maliki in his choices, even if it meant Sadr's followers losing control of some of the four ministries they now run -- including health and transport.

SUNNI THREATS

In recent days, some Sunni lawmakers have threatened to pull out of the political process if they do not get a larger say, some going as far to suggest they would even take up arms against rival groups sparking all-out civil war.

Top Sunni leader Adnan al-Dulaimi told Reuters he rejected a withdrawal from politics for now but said they would leave "all options open" if others refuse to address Sunni concerns.

"The government must honour previous agreements like the release of 30,000 prisoners, nearly all of whom are Sunnis. We want a genuine balance in ministries and a lifting of the sieges on Falluja and Ramadi," he said, referring to Sunni cities west of Baghdad where U.S. forces are present in strength.

Some Sunnis have recently outraged Shi'ites with strong language, notably giving currency to the term "Safavids", and comparing the new, Shi'ite establishment in Iraq to the 17th century dynasty that forced Shi'ite Islam on neighbouring Iran.

Dulaimi's party last week accused the government of standing idle as Shi'ite militias forced Sunnis out of Baghdad to turn the capital into a "Safavid city". Al Qaeda used the term on Sunday, claiming responsibility for a bombing that killed 35.

State television, dominated by the Shi'ite-led government, hit out at a leading Sunni cleric on Sunday, accusing him of being an apologist for al Qaeda.

As Washington looks for an exit for its troops, U.S. officials hope Maliki can forge a government which can stop Iraq sliding into civil war and will be pleased if the reshuffle can achieve that.

(Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed)

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