ANALYSIS-Shi'ite-Kurd feud may see shift in Iraqi alliances

"BAGHDAD, Oct 5 (Reuters) - A deepening feud between Iraq's Kurdish president and the Shi'ite prime minister has cast doubt on whether their alliance, forged out of convenience nine months ago, will survive beyond elections in December.

If it breaks apart, as some observers expect, it could see a fundamental realignment of Iraq's political landscape, which has been dominated by pro-Iranian Islamist Shi'ites and separatist-minded, secular Kurds since elections in January.

The dispute between President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Ibrahim Jaafari broke into the open last week after one of Talabani's spokesmen said Jaafari should be sacked because he was monopolising power and not sticking to agreements.

Jaafari, a devout Shi'ite, responded by saying he was too busy running the country to discuss the slight with Talabani."
Reuters