Shiites reject Maliki as PM

*Maliki’s party says still supports PM

*Gov’t may not be formed till Sept

IRAQ: One of Iraq’s main Shi’ite political blocs has rejected Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s claim to a second term and halted coalition talks until his party nominates a new candidate, politicians said.

Maliki’s party said it was standing by the premier.

The decision by the Iraqi National Alliance (INA) to break off negotiations was a major setback in forming a new government as U.S. troops are planning to cut back military operations in Iraq more than seven years after ousting Saddam Hussein. “All parties of the INA have agreed that the obstacle is the insistence of nominating Maliki,” Qusay al-Suhail, a senior member of the Sadrists political movement, a main INA faction, told Reuters on Sunday.

“That is why we demanded an alternative ... The INA’s decision is unanimous.” Almost five months after Iraq held a parliamentary election meant to set it on a course towards stability after years of war, sanctions and insurgency, Iraqis are no closer to knowing who their next prime minister will be.

Maliki’s State of Law bloc, which came second in the March 7 vote, and the third-place INA, announced their merger in June under a new name, National Alliance.

Together the Shi’ite coalition has 159 seats in the new 325-seat parliament, four short of a majority.

Reuters