|
You are here:
PolitInfo.com > News & Articles >
Iraq's Leading Shi'ite Party Chooses Jaafari as PM Candidate
Feb 22, 2005 Washington
Iraq's majority Shi'ite coalition picked Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a former physician with close ties to Iran, as their candidate for prime minister Tuesday. Mr. al-Jaafari's selection means it is possible that a Shi'ite will lead Iraq's first democratically elected government in 50 years.
The United Iraqi Alliance, the Shi'ite coalition that won 48 percent of the votes in the January 30 election, has selected Iraq's interim vice president, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, as their candidate for prime minister.
The 58-year-old doctor is a moderate Islamist and respected leader who lived in exile in Iran and London. Mr. al-Jaafari, who has reached out to Iraq's Sunni Muslims, is viewed as someone who will be able to unite the new government. His only serious competition for the premiership is expected to be Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, who has been nominated by his group, the Iraqi List.
U.S. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Mr. al-Jaafari's selection was an important step in the Iraqi political process.
"We're looking forward to working with whatever Iraqi government emerges,” he said. “That'll be not only a prime minister but a president and other ministers. And we're looking forward to having a constructive relationship with the whole transitional government.”
Mr. al-Jaafari was chosen as the candidate of the United Iraqi Alliance after another member of the Alliance, Ahmad Chalabi, withdrew from the race. Mr. Chalabi is a secular Shi'ite who was strongly supported by the Pentagon before the invasion of Iraq, but has since fallen out of favor with Washington, reportedly for passing sensitive information to Iran.
The United Iraqi Alliance holds 140 of the 275 seats in the national assembly, and will need to build a coalition with smaller parties to form a new government. A two-thirds majority of the national assembly is required for the most important decisions, including the selection of prime minister.
The Shi'ite group now must negotiate with the Kurdish alliance that holds 75 seats in the national assembly. Those negotiations may take several weeks.
This article uses material from VOA.
Related Articles:
- Suicide Bombers Strike in Baghdad for 2nd Straight Day
A fresh wave of car bombings rocked the Iraqi capital of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 20 people and wounding nearly two dozen others.
- Suicide Bombings in Baghdad Kill 22 Policemen
Iraqi officials say at least 22 policemen and several civilians were killed in three suicide bombings in Baghdad Thursday.
- Car Bombs Kill More Than 150 in Iraq
In Baghdad, nearly a dozen car bombs exploded throughout the day Wednesday in and around the Iraqi capital, killing more than 150 people and wounding scores of others.
- Car Bombings, Shootings Kill More Than 150 Iraqis
Car bombs and gunfire shook the Iraqi capital Wednesday, killing more than 150 people and injuring hundreds more, most of them Shi'ite Muslims.
- US Lawmakers Debate Downing Street Memo on Iraq War
There has been new debate in U.S. Congress over the Downing Street memo, the document quoting a British official in 2002 as saying the Bush administration shaped intelligence to justify a pre-determination to go to war against Saddam Hussein.
- Iraq's Government Seeks to Calm Fears Raised by Offensive
Sunni Arab leaders in Iraq are criticizing the Iraqi government's three day-old military operation against Sunni insurgents and foreign fighters in the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar.
- Possible Changes Delay Printing of Iraq Constitution
With less than five weeks before Iraqis are scheduled to vote in a referendum on a new draft constitution, top politicians say the document is still not ready to be presented to the public.
- UN Concerned over Lack of Protection for Civilians in Iraq
Lack of protection for innocent civilians in Iraq and deficiencies in the administration of justice continue to be major challenges to the authorities in the war-ravaged country, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said.
- US, Iraqi Troops Report Gains in Tal Afar
Thousands of Iraqi troops backed by U.S. forces are continuing their push through the northern Iraqi city of Tal Afar.
- Iraqi, US Troops Launch Major Offensive in Tal Afar
Iraqi forces, supported by American troops, have launched a major offensive against insurgents in the northwestern city of Tal Afar.
|
