Shiites appear split on choice of new PM
(AP)
Updated: 2006-04-21 20:05
Shiite politicians appeared divided Friday over their choice of a new nominee
to head the next government after Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari agreed to
let them try to find someone else acceptable to Sunnis and Kurds.
Graphic shows key events in Iraqs political
process since the April 2003 fall of Saddam Hussein.
[AP] |
Representatives of the seven parties within the United Iraqi Alliance, the
Shiite coalition, were to meet after Friday midday prayers to discuss a
replacement for al-Jaafari, whom the Sunnis and Kurds refused to accept to lead
a unity government.
Shiite officials said it was unlikely the alliance committee would agree on a
single candidate at the meeting and would instead focus on the mechanism for
choosing a nominee. If the choice is made by the 130 Shiite parliament members,
the committee must decide whether the winner needs two-thirds support or simply
a majority, officials said.
Such a vote would probably take place Saturday before an afternoon session of
parliament.
Adnan al-Kadhimi, a senior adviser to al-Jaafari, said the prime minister was
still a candidate. "It is up to the alliance to decide who is its candidate, but
that does not mean that the alliance will not nominate al-Jaafari again, "
al-Kadhimi told The Associated Press.
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