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Bumpy Road for New Iraqi Prime Minister-Designate

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - Iraqi President Barham Salih's choice of former Najaf Governor
   Adnan Zurfi to form a new government is meeting opposition from the
   country's divided Shiite political camp, along with the country's main
   power broker, Iran.

   Zurfi, who has 30 days to put together a Cabinet, is facing what some
   analysts see as insurmountable odds.'¯

   Despite opposition to Zurfi's nomination by several key Shiite
   political parties, Iraqi TV reported that U.N. special envoy Jeanine
   Hennin-Plasschaert welcomed his selection, noting Iraq needs "strong
   and effective leadership."

   Kurdish President Barham Salih, whom the Iraqi constitution allows to
   select the new prime minister-designate, made his choice after the
   previous nominee, Mohammed Towfiq Allawi, failed to form a government.

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