Iraqi PM ditches old Shia allies

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Source: FT.com

Iraqi PM ditches old Shia allies
BAGHDAD, Oct 1 - Nouri al-Maliki, Iraq’s prime minister, announced on Thursday a new coalition that will run against former Shia Muslim allies in January’s national elections, raising the prospect of intra-sectarian strife.

In a speech in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, Mr Maliki left the door open to working with other political groups, but his allies told Reuters his State of Law coalition had no desire to join a rival alliance headed by other powerful Shia parties.

”The birth of State of Law represents a historic milestone and development in establishing a modern Iraq built on peaceful, nationalist principles ... far from the politics of marginalisation, discrimination and tyranny,” Mr Maliki said.

Ambitions for such a turning point for Iraq’s fragile democracy will be tested in the country’s first general election since 2005, which takes place just as US troops prepare to withdraw and local forces seek to defeat a stubborn insurgency.



Read more: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/db3bd77e-ae6d-11de-8464-00144feabdc0.html