Shiite list names Jaafari as candidate for Iraq PM

The coalition of Shiite parties has selected current vice president Ibrahim al-Jaafari as its candidate to become the next PM.

The coalition of Shiite parties that won Iraq's general election has selected current vice president Ibrahim al-Jaafari as its candidate to become the next prime minister, several Shiite sources said on Tuesday.

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"In two or three days it will probably be announced that Jaafari is the candidate for the premiership. We anticipate this to happen in a few days," Jaafari's deputy Adnan Ali told the agency.

Jaafari is leader of the religious Dawa party.

A source from the rival Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq confirmed that its own candidate, Finance Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi, had dropped out of the race.

"Doctor Jaafari was chosen after discussions with the other lists and agreement on this question was reached yesterday (Monday)," said United Iraqi Alliance candidate and SCIRI member Janan al-Obeidi.