Shia coalition open to early elections in Iraq

By Yaqout Dandashi

BAGHDAD (AA) – A coalition of Shia groups close to Iran said it is ready to hold early elections in Iraq to help resolve a months-long political crisis in the country.

“The Coordination Framework is open to demands of the Sadrist movement to help solve the political crisis,” Qais Khazali, head of Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq movement, a member of the coalition, said in a TV interview.

Influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr demands the dissolution of the Iraqi Parliament and holding fresh parliamentary elections in Iraq as the country’s political rivals have been unable to agree on a new prime minister since last year’s general elections.

The situation escalated in Iraq in July when the Coordination Framework nominated Muhammad Shia al-Sudani as a new prime minister, to the opposition of al-Sadr.

Dozens were killed earlier in September in protests by supporters of al-Sadr, who stormed Baghdad’s Republican Palace, the seat of the government, after the firebrand cleric said he was stepping down from politics.

Khazali said he believes al-Sudani is ready to drop his nomination to premiership “if this will solve the crisis.”

“The Coordination Framework is open to all solutions to end Iraq’s political crisis,” he added.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar