Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance Wants Parliament To Open Later

Prime Minister al-Ja'fari (file photo) (epa) March 7, 2006 -- A senior member of Iraq's ruling Shiite alliance is quoted says his group will ask President Jalal Talabani to postpone the opening of parliament for a few days.

Talabani said on March 6 that he will convene the Iraqi parliament on March 12.


However, Rida Jawad Taqi, a senior member of the Supreme Council For Islamic Revolution In Iraq (SCIRI), said that Shi'ite legislators have decided to ask Talabani for a delay. The request follows a campaign by Sunnis, Kurds, and secular leaders who oppose the nomination of Shi'ite Prime Minister Ibrahim Al-Ja'fari for a second term.


(Reuters)