Hard-line Shiite wins nod as Iraqi P.M.

BAGHDAD, April 21 (UPI) -- Political factions in Iraq's Parliament said Friday they would accept Jawad al-Maliki, a hard-line Shiite leader, as prime minister.

If Parliament approves the choice Saturday, Maliki will replace Ibrahim al-Jaafari, The New York Times reported. Jaafari said Thursday he would stand down, ending a two-month stalemate that has seen a worsening of Iraqi security and contributed to a spike in sectarian violence across Iraq.

Maliki, a visible spokesman for the Shiite alliance and top aide to Jaafari, was backed by six of the seven parties in the Shiite alliance, leaders told the Times. Other groups would have preferred another candidate, Ali al-Adeeb.

"We don't have many options, and we would like to push the political process forward," said Tareq al-Hashemi, leader of the Iraqi Consensus Front, the largest Sunni grouping.

Selecting a cabinet is also likely to be difficult, with fights expected over who will fill the key posts.