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Iraq picks interim leader

May-29-2004 » Filed Under: Iraq News

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HAMZA HENDAWI; The Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi Governing Council chose a longtime anti-Saddam Hussein exile to become prime minister of Iraq's interim government, making the surprise announcement Friday despite U.N. concerns over his ties to the United States and the CIA.

The selection of Iyad Allawi - a Shiite Muslim council member who headed an exile group made up of former Saddam military officers - was an assertion of influence by the U.S.-picked body.

After apparent initial hesitation, the United States endorsed the choice to head the government due to take power on June 30.

A senior Bush administration official in Baghdad, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Allawi will become prime minister, and the White House praised Allawi as "a fine and capable leader."

U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, who has been leading discussions on forming the government, also all but endorsed Allawi. Brahimi "is perfectly comfortable with how the process is proceeding so far," a statement by his office said.

The United Nations acknowledged the timing of the council's announcement was a surprise, but said Brahimi would work with Allawi on the makeup of the government, due to be announced in the coming days.

Allawi had been "high on (Brahimi's) list" of possible premiers," spokesman Fred Eckhard said at U.N. headquarters in New York. The announcement "is not how we expected it to happen ... but the Iraqis seem to agree on this candidate."

Still to be chosen for the new government are a president, two vice presidents and 26 Cabinet members. The president, a largely symbolic post, is to be a Sunni, and the vice presidents are expected to be a Kurd and a Shiite.


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