Iraqi Shiites Nominate Jafari as Prime Minister

Posted on Feb 12, 2006

New York Times: BAGHDAD, Iraq—Shiite lawmakers decided by a one-vote margin on Sunday to retain Ibrahim al-Jaafari as prime minister in Iraq’s next government, after a bitter internal struggle that exposed the growing power of anti-American fundamentalists within the new Parliament.

As the largest single bloc in the Parliament, the Shiites have the right to choose a prime minister under Iraq’s Constitution, and they will now begin negotiating with the leaders of other political groups to fill out Iraq’s first full-term, four-year government.

Mr. Jaafari, a moderate Islamist, has been widely criticized as a weak leader over the past year and was considered a long shot to continue in his post. But he defeated his main rival by 64 to 63 in a vote of members of the Shiite bloc on Sunday morning after gaining support from followers of Moktada al-Sadr, the renegade Shiite cleric who is outspoken in his hostility to the United States. | story

Truthdig says: The largely ineffectual interim leader is now set to take formal control of the country. He is backed by theocratic Shiites in Iran, and the rabidly anti-American cleric Moktada al-Sadr in Iraq. A theocratic state, virulently hostile to U.S. interests? Right now even Ahmad Chalabi is starting to look good in comparison.

More Below the Ad

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.