Iraqi president endorses Maliki for PM

Saturday, 22, Apr 2006 04:25

Dawa party leader Jawad al-Maliki has been endorsed as the new Iraqi prime minister by Iraqi president Jalal Talibani.

He was presented to a session of parliament today after the leaders of the seven political parties that make up the United Iraqi Alliance yesterday agreed Dr al-Maliki would be the candidate.

Sunni and secular factions had opposed the re-election of the incumbent leader Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who agreed on Thursday to step down if asked by the Alliance.

The Shia nominee's candidacy has to be approved by the three-person Presidential Council and by parliament.

"I would like to inform the brothers and sisters that we decided unanimously to endorse our dear brother... to head the cabinet," President Talabani said today.

Analysts said a new leader could help overcome the four-month deadlock on the formation of a new government.

Mr al-Jaafari has been roundly criticised for failing to curb violence and unite Iraq's diverse religious and ethnic groups.

Mr al-Maliki was deputy speaker during Ayad Allawi's interim government.

Jalal al-Talabani, a Kurd, will continue as president and Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, a Sunni from the National Consensus Front, could be named speaker, analysts forecast.