Race for Iraqi premier intensifies

BAGHDAD, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A decision to court former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi into a new grand alliance may upset rival members seeking the high office in January elections.

The grand Iraqi National Alliance, a coalition formed in August, is reportedly reaching out to Allawi as part of an effort to mount a cross-sectarian challenge to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the January parliamentary elections.

The INA is looking to Allawi to overcome a decision by Maliki to move independently with his State of Law slate that brought him major concessions in this year's provincial elections in January, the Iraqi analytical Web site Niqash reports.

Rasem al-Awwadi, a lawmaker with Allawi's Iraqi National Accord party, suggested an alliance with the INA might help shore up support for the broad-based coalition as it prepares for the next election.

"The parliamentary elections could witness unexpected coalitions that will surprise everybody," he said.

The INA includes members of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, supporters of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr and Sunni factions from the western province of Anbar.

Observers say INA affiliates in the Iraqi National Congress of Ahmed Chalabi, mentioned as a candidate for prime minister, and Sadrists may be opposed to Allawi because of longstanding disputes.

Allawi, for his part, said he was "not ready" to move closer to the INA.