Iraqi secular list suspends campaign

BAGHDAD, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- A secular Iraqi political bloc expected to bid for the prime minister post announced its decision to suspend its campaign amid a heated election row.

Iraqiya, a unity list of Shiite and Sunni candidates led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a Shiite, in a statement last weekend announced its decision to suspend its campaign for March parliamentary elections amid a contentious political battle.

Lawmakers are in a furor over a decision to bar more than 500 candidates from the March elections because of ties to the outlawed Baath Party of Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi elections officials announced the reinstatement of 26 candidates for the March ballot. A court ruled that banned candidates could compete provided their political ties were examined after the election, though the decision was overturned.

Iraqiya called on political leaders and groups to examine the political situation in order to "to create an electoral environment reassuring for all." In addition, the secular list called on lawmakers and judicial officials to exercise their authority and review the decision to ban certain candidates, including Iraqiya leader Saleh al-Mutlaq.

"To underline the seriousness of the Iraqi list, we have decided to suspend our election campaign immediately as we await the outcomes of the meetings cited above," the group announced.

Iraqis head to the polls in March for their second parliamentary vote since Saddam was ousted in 2003. The poll tests the secular climate as U.S. forces prepare to wind down their mission after nearly seven years at war.