Maliki considers INA role, officials say

TEHRAN, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- The Dawa Party of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki might join the newly formed Iraqi National Alliance, Shiite leaders said in Iran.

Forat al-Shar, a member of the Shiite Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, told the Fars News Agency in Tehran the Dawa Party might join the new alliance.

"Based on the remarks by those with close links with Maliki, the possibility has increase for the Iraqi Prime Minister's coalition with the new block," he said.

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari unveiled a new bloc last week, saying the coalition would push a broad agenda for social services and national reconciliation.

The INA will include SIIC members and supporters of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr. Sunni factions from the western province of Anbar are also expected to join the ranks in the new alliance.

The Dawa Party, however, initially was left out of the new coalition amid lingering disputes between it and SIIC. Dawa affiliates defeated SIIC candidates in the provincial elections earlier this year.

Shar noted the sentiments on the INA had changed with the passing of SIIC leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, who died Wednesday from lung cancer.

The death of Hakim, considered one of the founding fathers of the post-invasion Iraq, upended the Iraqi political landscape as lawmakers prepare for national elections in January.