Baghdad: Iraq's former prime minister and US favourite Ayad Allawi is leading a new effort to replace the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki with an administration that would focus on restoring order and security in the country, Iraqi politicians said.
Allawi has succeeded in forming a new political front, which will be backed by Sunni political forces like the Accord Front and former regime parties, they noted. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani accused the new political front of standing against Iraq and Shiite coalition parties that accused the Front of working for Arab countries' intelligence services.
Ebrahim Al Janabi, a prominent figure in the National Accord Party headed by Allawi, told Gulf News: "President Talabani's reactions should not be that negative because he must act like the president and must not intervene in the new political front issue ... We affirm the right of all personnel to join the National Front which will act within a national and non-sectarian framework."
Salim Abdullah, spokesman of the Sunni Accord Front, told Gulf News: "The new front is not a coup attempt as portrayed by some. It will be the first phase to correct the political process and put pressure on Al Maliki to accept reforms against sectarianism, if he does not respond then the only option available would be to overthrow his government."
