The Fadhila party in Iraq's ruling Shia Alliance said today it was ready to put forward an alternative candidate for prime minister instead of Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
"If the Iraqi Alliance cannot nominate Jaafari, anyone from the alliance can present their own candidate who they see as the right person to save the political process and get us out of this impasse," a Fadhila spokesman said.
The alliance is expected to drop Mr Jaafari as its choice for prime minister in the new government due to pressure from Kurdish and Sunni politicians.
But alliance officials fear removing him could split the bloc at a time when Iraq needs a united leadership to tackle insurgent violence and ease sectarian tensions.