IRAQ: Leading secular and liberal groups have launched a counter-attack against what they say is the undue influence of hardline Shia Islamists and Iran's theocracy on the formation of Iraq's new government.
There was growing opposition to the candidature of Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a conservative Islamist with suspected links to Tehran, for Iraqi prime minister, and the prospect of a damaging revolt from within the victorious Shia alliance that nominated him.
Talks between the main Kurdish and Shia blocs over a coalition government also took a knock when the interim Iraqi president, Gazi al-Yawar, a Sunni Arab, announced he would not become speaker of parliament.
The national assembly is due to meet this morning for only the second time since the January 30th elections. But to the frustration of ordinary Iraqis, there will still be no government. Some senior posts may be announced, but not the full cabinet.
In the latest twist in the protracted process of forming the first freely-elected administration, it emerged that senior liberal and secular politicians had been meeting behind the scenes to see whether they could mount a 'stop Jaafari' campaign.
Despite repeated public assurances from Mr Jaafari that he will not seek to impose Sharia law, there are worries among mainstream Iraqis that a government dominated by the two main Shia parties could further heighten divisions and intolerance in a country that has a strong tradition of secularism.
Public disquiet has grown after a group of students were attacked in Basra last week by Shia militiamen. Christian-run alcohol shops have been closed in many places outside the Kurdish-run north and barbers have been killed for giving western-style haircuts.
Insurgents continued to target Iraqi security forces and members of the newly empowered Shia community, killing at least 15 people yesterday in a wave of attacks. - (Guardian Service)