Iraq's Shi'ites face decision on Jaafari

Iraq's powerful Shi'ite Alliance was expected to make a decision today on whether it would yield to pressure from Kurdish and Sunni leaders and drop Ibrahim al-Jaafari as its choice for Prime Minister.

The outcome could determine if a deadlock over forming a unity government can be broken four months after elections.

Political sources said President Jalal Talabani, a top Kurdish leader, has informed a committee from the Alliance that the Kurdish bloc's decision to reject Mr Jaafari was final.

The Kurds and Sunnis accuse Mr Jaafari of monopolising power and failing to improve security. Iraq's acting speaker of Parliament said yesterday he would call on the assembly to convene in the next few days, raising the possibility the political paralysis may end.

A planned meeting between the US and Iran on stability in Iraq had raised hopes that the neighbouring power could use its influence over fellow Shi'ites leading the Iraqi government and help push the political process forward. But US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who will represent Washington in the talks, said yesterday that the meeting will not be held until after an Iraqi government was formed.

As the biggest bloc in Parliament, the Shi'ite Alliance has the constitutional right to nominate a Prime Minister, but Mr Jaafari also faces fierce opposition from senior officials within the alliance. Replacing Mr Jaafari could put severe strain on the uneasy Shi'ite Alliance at a time when Iraq needs a united leadership to tackle insurgent violence and ease sectarian tensions.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw conceded yesterday that there was a "high level of slaughter" in Iraq but said the country had not descended into civil war.

Speaking to BBC television, he reiterated his concern over the political paralysis.

"It's very frustrating because the leaders are taking far too long to form this government..." he said.

His comments came after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak offered a grim assessment of Iraq, saying civil war had started.

The Shi'ite-led Iraqi government, eager to project an image of unity, strongly criticised Mr Mubarak, a Sunni, yesterday.

The raging violence highlighted instability on the third anniversary of the US capture of Baghdad, which was symbolised by the giant statue of Saddam Hussein being dragged down in Firdos (paradise) square.

Also yesterday, German media reported that two German hostages held in Iraq since the end of January had appeared in a video pleading for help. A statement by their captors, posted on a website often used by Iraq insurgent groups, demanded the release of all prisoners held by US-led forces in Iraq and warned the two would be killed if its call was ignored.