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Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance Searches for New PM Nominee
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=11E3F74:3919ACA Move follows
announcement by Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari indicating  he is
willing to step aside





Ibrahim al-JaafariLeaders of Iraq's largest parliamentary bloc are
holding consultations to nominate a candidate to lead the next
government, after Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari indicated that he
was willing to step aside.

In a televised speech to the nation Thursday, Mr. Jaafari said the
Shi'ite bloc should decide who it wants to be prime minister. He said
he could not accept being an obstacle or looking like an obstacle.

Until now, Mr. Jaafari's refusal to step aside has blocked repeated
efforts to form a unity government. Kurdish and Sunni Arab factions
have been demanding that he step down, arguing that he has not done
enough to end sectarian violence.

Iraq's political leaders say they now expect parliament to convene
Saturday, when lawmakers could work on choosing the next government.

The United States has been urging Iraq's political leaders to form a
government including Shi'ites, Sunni Arabs and Kurds.

A State Department spokesman called Mr. Jaafari's willingness to put
his nomination up to a new vote the public manifestation of, what he
called, much behind the scenes discussions among Iraq's various
groups.


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