IYAD ALLAWI, THE leader of Iraq’s largest party, has ruled out forming a government with former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
The announcement further dampens hopes of the formation of a new government nearly six months after polling began.
Allawi’s secular Iraqiya bloc have said that they will not go into power with Maliki’s State of Law alliance- largely Shi’ite. Iraqiya won 91 seats out of 325 in the 7 March election, giving them a two seat majority over State of Law.
“Iraqiya believes the current type of government headed by Maliki cannot be repeated, so Iraqiya will not take part in any government headed by him,” the bloc said in a statement released late on Friday.
Iraqiya have said that they will continue negotiations with the Shi’ite Iraqi National Alliance (INA). Maliki was rebuffed when he tried to negotiate with the INA and the other Shi’ite party- the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council.
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