Iraqi PM blamed for sectarian violence

AMMAN, Jordan, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was accused Sunday of fostering sectarian violence across his country since he took on his political post.

Former interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said Maliki remains loyal to Iranian and Shiite interests. Allawi said he would soon return from Jordan to help his country down a new political path, CNN reported.

"I would play my role in Iraq in whatever capacity is required to change Iraq into an unsectarian country, to a peaceful country, to a democratic country," Allawi said Sunday.

Allawi said he would not support a sectarian government and called on the United States to withdraw its forces from his war-torn nation immediately.

But the former prime minister did recognize such a massive withdrawal would take time and asked the United States to support his planned political change in Iraq.

"We are going to fight for our country," he said. "We are going to continue our belief in the political process, and we would look to the support of the United States."