BAGHDAD, Iraq
April 19, -- Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari
insisted Wednesday on another term, saying it is
"out of the question" he will step down. Al-Jaafari's
comments, made in a nationally televised news
conference, mean the political deadlock is likely to
continue.
Sunni and Kurdish objections to al-Jaafari, whom
Shiites have nominated to a new term, have stalled
efforts to form a unity government four months after
national elections.
Talks have been stalled for months over the issue of
who should be the country's next prime minister,
with the Sunnis and Kurds steadfastly rejecting the
nomination of al-Jaafari, which he narrowly won in a
Shiite caucus last February.
Shiite leaders continued to meet to discuss the
possibility of a new Shiite candidate, but prospects
for a quick end to the stalemate were in doubt as
al-Jaafari's Dawa party pledged to support him for a
second term.
AP |
Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari |
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