Iraqi cleric meets with PM candidate in Syria as Iraqis face pressure to form new government
By APMonday, July 19, 2010
Iraqi cleric meets with PM candidate in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria — A leading anti-American Iraqi cleric has met with one of two Iraqi politicians vying to lead the country’s next government.
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr met with former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi in neighboring Syria.
Allawi and current Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki are locked in a power struggle over the premiership after no clear winner emerged from the March 7 elections. Both sides are struggling to cobble together enough support to form a coalition.
Monday’s meeting could signal that an unusual alliance may be developing.
The impasse has raised fears that militants will try to re-ignite sectarian violence.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A leading anti-American Iraqi cleric has met with one of two Iraqi politicians vying to lead the country’s next government.
Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr met with former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi in neighboring Syria.
Allawi and current Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki are locked in a power struggle over the premiership after no clear winner emerged from the March 7 elections. Both sides are struggling to cobble together enough support to form a coalition.
Monday’s meeting could signal that an unusual alliance may be developing.
The impasse has raised fears that militants will try to re-ignite sectarian violence.
