Iraqi PM Abandons Claim on Another Term (Al-Jaafari)

AP/Yahoo News ^ | 4-21-06 | Robert H. Reid

[STARWISE]

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Bowing to intense pressure, Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari agreed Thursday to allow Shiite lawmakers to find someone else to head the new government, abandoning his claim on another term in the face of Sunni and Kurdish opposition.

Al-Jaafari's abrupt reversal was an apparent breakthrough in the monthslong struggle to form a national unity government. The Bush administration hopes such a government will curb Iraq's slide toward anarchy and enable the U.S. to start bringing home its 133,000 troops.

Leaders in the seven-party Shiite alliance, the largest bloc in the 275-member parliament, were to meet Friday to begin choosing a replacement. But their field of candidates lacks stature and power, raising questions whether the new prime minister will be any more successful than al-Jaafari in confronting sectarian violence and the brutal insurgency.

[STARWISE]

Praying this means progress for a new government.

[STARWISE]

Hopeful ping.

[STARWISE]

"But in a letter Thursday to the executive committee of the United Iraqi Alliance, the Shiite coalition, al-Jaafari wrote that he was prepared to "make any sacrifice to achieve" the organization's goals. "I tell you, you chose me, and I return this choice to you to do as you see fit."

"I cannot allow myself to be an obstacle, or appear to be an obstacle," al-Jaafari said in an emotional address on national television. He said he agreed to a new vote so that his fellow Shiite lawmakers "can think with complete freedom and see what they wish to do."

[STARWISE]

Ding.

[onyx]

Guardedly optimistic.

[Sunsong]

good news!

[RushCrush]

If only the Democrats would be so reasonable!

[American in Singapore]

A very heartwarming event - he is foresaking personal ambition for the sake of the country. This is great and shows how much Iraq's leaders want this.