Sporter
03-08-2006, 05:33 PM
The Shiite vice president relented Wednesday and signed a presidential decree calling Iraq's parliament into session as early as this weekend, ending a critical stalemate but setting the stage for a rancorous political fight among majority Shiites.
The dispute centered on Shiite Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's bid for a second term, which is opposed by a coalition of Sunni Arab, Kurdish and secular Shiite politicians.
President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, hopes to bring the controversy to a head by convening parliament.
But to convene the session, Talabani needed the approval of his two vice presidents. Ghazi al-Yawer, a Sunni who is out of the country, gave Talabani power of attorney Monday to sign on his behalf. Adil Abdul-Mahdi, the Shiite, initially declined but reversed his position Wednesday.
http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2006/03/08/ap2580504.html
The dispute centered on Shiite Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari's bid for a second term, which is opposed by a coalition of Sunni Arab, Kurdish and secular Shiite politicians.
President Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, hopes to bring the controversy to a head by convening parliament.
But to convene the session, Talabani needed the approval of his two vice presidents. Ghazi al-Yawer, a Sunni who is out of the country, gave Talabani power of attorney Monday to sign on his behalf. Adil Abdul-Mahdi, the Shiite, initially declined but reversed his position Wednesday.
http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2006/03/08/ap2580504.html