BAGHDAD, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Iraq's leading Shiite political parties have unveiled an alliance under which they plan to stand together in the Jan. 30 election.
Major Sunni factions, however, were not included and have not submitted their own slate of candidates, the Independent reported Friday. Also not participating, at least yet, is Muqtada Sadr or any of his proxies.
Ayatollah Ali Sistani, the most influential Shiite religious leader, has endorsed the Shiite list of 228 names, which is known as the United Iraqi Alliance, and includes 23 parties.
Since the nation is about 60 percent Shiite, the alliance is expected to gain much of the majority Shiite vote next month.
The 275-member assembly to be elected Jan. 30 will draw up a constitution to be submitted to a referendum. Based on this constitution, there will be another election Dec. 15, 2005.
