Iraq Shiite paramilitary leader Al Amiri withdraws candidacy for PM

By Thomson Reuters Foundation - Sep 18,2018 - Last updated at Sep 18,2018

Newly elected Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed Al Halbusi (second right) heads a meeting at the local government headquarters during his visit to the southern city of Basra on Tuesday (AFP photo)

ERBIL — Shiite militia leader Hadi Al Amiri, one of the most powerful figures in Iraq, withdrew his candidacy for prime minister on Tuesday, putting the country one step closer to forming a government after months of political stagnation.

Amiri heads the Fatih Alliance, an electoral bloc which came in second in May's inconclusive national election. His coalition has been vying to build the largest bloc which would form the government, with him as prime minister.

"I would like to announce to the dear Iraqi people the withdrawal of my candidacy for prime minister, to open the way for serious dialogue to elect a prime minister and his government according to the vision of the Supreme religious authority," he said in a news conference.

Amiri's Fatih alliance was composed of political groups tied to Iran-backed Shiite militias who helped government forces dislodge Daesh militants from the third of Iraq they seized four years ago. His Badr Organisation controls the interior ministry.

Amiri's Alliance has been in advanced talks with Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr to form a new alliance in recent days.

Sadr, whose Saeroon bloc scored a stunning victory in the May 12 parliamentary, portrays himself as a fierce nationalist opposed to both US and Iranian interference in Iraq. He had formed an alliance with incumbent Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi since June, which looked set to falter.

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