Kurds say rejection of Jaafari as Iraq PM is final

BAGHDAD, April 9 (Reuters) - Iraqi Kurdish leaders have officially informed the main Shi'ite Alliance that their rejection of Ibrahim al-Jaafari as the Alliance nomination for prime minister is final, political sources said on Sunday.

The message was delivered by Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, who is also a top Kurdish leader, to a committee from the Alliance, the sources said.

The Alliance, under growing pressure to nominate a replacement to break a deadlock over a unity government, is expected to inform other political blocs on Monday of their final decision on Jaafari, the sources said.

The powerful Shi'ite bloc is due to meet on Monday to make a final decision and then deliver it to Kurdish and Sunni Arab blocs who accuse Jaafari of monopolising power and failing to provide strong leadership.
Reuters