BAGHDAD, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A coalition of Sunni Arabs and secularists announced the suspension of campaigning to protest Iraq's ban of candidates with alleged ties to the Baath party.
The Iraqi National Movement halted campaigning Saturday and hinted they would boycott next month's parliamentary elections if the ban was not reversed, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.
"This situation raises serious questions about the usefulness of the
coming elections," the coalition said in a statement.
Iraqi elections officials have barred candidates alleged to have ties to the Baath party, which ruled the country under Saddam Hussein. Among those barred were two prominent Sunni members of parliament, Saleh
Mutlak and Dhafir Ani.
Meanwhile, no one was injured Saturday when bombs exploded outside the offices of five predominately Sunni political parties, including one headed by Mutlak. The explosions occurred a day after the Islamic State of Iraq, a militant group, warned Sunnis not to participate in the elections.
