Iraq Shiite bloc names alternative to Maliki as PM candidate

BAGHDAD, Aug 11 (agencies): Iraq's National Alliance parliamentary bloc has chosen Haidar al-Abadi as its nominee for prime minister in place of incumbent Nuri al-Maliki, sources in parliament told AFP Monday.

"The National Alliance has named Haidar al-Abadi as its candidate for prime minister," a lawmaker said. Several other sources in parliament confirmed the decision.

The man who could become Iraq's next prime minister is the current first deputy speaker of parliament. He was born in Baghdad in 1952 and holds a PhD from the University of Manchester.

Iraqi President Fuad Masum has to ask the nominee of parliament's largest bloc to form a government, a move that has been delayed by spiralling sectarian strife and intense political wrangling.

There has been a long-standing dispute as to which of Maliki's own State of Law coalition and the broader National Alliance could constitutionally be considered the largest bloc.

Meanwhile: Iraq's federal court issued a statement Monday indicating it did not rule on a complaint Nuri al-Maliki said he would file in a bid to remain prime minister.

The court convened on Monday but its statement was a reply to the president of Iraq in which it simply reiterated an earlier ruling on how the nominee for the post prime minister should be selected.

The 2010 decision is open to different interpretations by political rivals and its reissue on Monday was presented by state TV Iraqiya as a vindication of Maliki's claim to being the rightful candidate.