Iraqi News Iraqi PM's prospects of second term increasingly slim

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Iraq's Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

By NICK CAREY & WALEED IBRAHIM | REUTERS

Published: Apr 12, 2010 18:38 Updated: Apr 12, 2010 18:46

BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki's chances of being reappointed appear to be fading as potential coalition partners turn against him a month after a general election that produced no clear winner.

Maliki, a Shiite leader, claims credit for stamping out widespread violence between once dominant Sunnis and majority Shiites, but is viewed as a divisive strongman by his foes. His coalition finished a close second in the March 7 vote. "Maliki did well in the election, but not well enough," said Toby Dodge, a reader in international politics at the University of London. "He thought he would be in a position of strength, but instead he faces a whole series of problems." More than a month after the election, Iraq is still waiting for formal, final results. Lengthy government-forming talks loom, overshadowed by the threat of attacks from a stubborn Sunni Islamist insurgency that continues to kill dozens each month in suicide bombings and shootings.

A sharp rise in violence could threaten US plans to end combat operations in August ahead of a full pullout by end-2011.

Analysts say Maliki has displayed a talent for alienating potential allies both at home and abroad, and stoked concerns that he could have authoritarian leanings. Those qualities are starting to haunt him as coalition talks unfold.

"Many people have feared that Maliki wanted to be a strongman," said Anthony Cordesman of the Washington-based Center for Strategic & International Studies.

Those suspicions have watered down support among minority Kurds, who have enjoyed virtual autonomy in Iraq's north for almost two decades, and among other Shiite factions which fear he could rein in their freedom of movement, or their militias.

Whether or not Maliki stays on as prime minister, analysts say oil deals crucial to Iraq's reconstruction will survive.

http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article42319.ece