Iraqi PM clears way for Shiites to replace him

It appears that al-Jaafari has finally seen the writing on the wall and realized his continued position is untenable

AP--Embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari cleared the way Thursday for Shiite leaders to withdraw his nomination for a second term, a step that could break a months-long standoff that is blocking the formation of a new government.

Shiite lawmakers planned to meet Saturday to decide whether to replace Mr. al-Jaafari, who faced fierce opposition from Iraq's Kurdish and Sunni Arab parties.

“The alliance is leaning toward changing [the nomination]. The majority opinion is in favour of this,” said Bassem Sharif, a lawmaker in the seven-party Shiite coalition.

The move represents the first sign that Mr. al-Jaafari has abandoned his quest to keep the prime minister's post, only a day after he had repeated his steadfast refusal to step down.

The United States had put strong pressure on the Shiites to resolve the standoff quickly so they could form a government able to stabilize Iraq amid increasing sectarian violence.

Great news if it holds as Mookies sock puppet was the main hurdle to the formation of a permanent Iraqi government.