Saturday, April 01, 2006

Iraq Shias break ranks, turn on PM Jaafari

We first reported on this two weeks ago. Looks as though we finally have our long awaited confirmation.

BAGHDAD/Reuters - Senior members of Iraq’s ruling Shia Alliance bloc called publicly for the first time on Saturday for Ibrahim Al Jaafari to step down as prime minister to break months of deadlock over a national unity government.

“I call on Jaafari to take a courageous step and set a fine example by stepping down,” Kasim Daoud, a senior member of the independent group within the Alliance, told Reuters.

Other senior Alliance officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed that four of seven main groups within the bloc wanted Jaafari to give up the nomination for a second term if, as is all but certain, he fails to persuade minority Sunni and Kurdish parties to drop their refusal to serve in a cabinet under him.

“There is a broad trend inside the Alliance who want Jaafari to do this (step aside) and we expect him to do so,” Daoud said.

Our original report

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