UIA Fails to Decide on Prime Minister

For the second day, the United Iraqi Alliance has failed to settle the issue over the premiership. (Ibrahim al-Ja'afari, the current nominee, has lost support from his coalition and is opposed by other political slates.) Alliance MP Ibrahim al-Shareef said the UIA decided to put off the official meeting until Wednesday and will hold intensive talks until then. Meanwhile, Fadheela party spokesman Sabah al-Saidi said his party is ready to nominate one of his party members to end the stalemate over the premiership. He did not declare who the candidate would be but said other political slates support him. Party sources said MP Ali al-Dabbagh would be the nominee.