Iraqi Shiites, Sunnis on collision course over deputy PM

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060430/wl_mideast_afp/iraqpolitics_060430123104

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq's dominant Shiite alliance and the formerly ruling Sunni Arabs were on a collision course over the crucial post of deputy prime minister in the new national unity government.

The Shiite United Iraqi Alliance was keen to rope in Iyad Allawi, a pro-Western former premier, as one of the two deputies to prime minister designate Nuri al-Maliki, amid strong opposition by Sunnis who want to retain the post.

Shiite MP Hussein Shahristani said a "small problem was emerging over the post with Shiites and also Kurds keen to offer this post to Allawi, but the Sunnis are opposing it."

"We think that Allawi's list has a right to this post and the Kurds are supporting us," he said, refering to the group headed by Allawi, a secular Shiite, that has 25 seats in the 275-member parliament.

Another Shiite MP, Bassem Sharif, said Sunday, "We want Allawi to participate in the new government to show everybody that the government is indeed a broad non-sectarian one."

[IndianaGreen]

1. Let the entire house of cards collapse!

Down with this collaborationist regime!

[leftchick]

2. condi says everything is going swell in Iraq

as far as the political process goes! :rofl: