Shiite groups announce new alliance minus Iraqi PM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090824/..._mi_ea/ml_iraq
Shiite groups announce new alliance minus Iraqi PM
BAGHDAD – Major Shiite groups have formed a new alliance that will exclude the Iraqi prime minister, lawmakers said Monday, a move likely to stoke fears of increasing Iranian influence and shake up the political landscape ahead of January parliamentary elections.
The coalition will include the largest Shiite party, the Iranian-backed Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council and anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc, which could give Tehran deeper influence in Iraq just as U.S. forces begin to withdraw.
The last American soldier is scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090824/..._mi_ea/ml_iraq
Shiite groups announce new alliance minus Iraqi PM
BAGHDAD – Major Shiite groups have formed a new alliance that will exclude the Iraqi prime minister, lawmakers said Monday, a move likely to stoke fears of increasing Iranian influence and shake up the political landscape ahead of January parliamentary elections.
The coalition will include the largest Shiite party, the Iranian-backed Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council and anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc, which could give Tehran deeper influence in Iraq just as U.S. forces begin to withdraw.
The last American soldier is scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of 2011.