Via the Iraqi Premier Says He May Step Down

In a sudden reversal, embattled Iraqi prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said today that he was willing to relinquish his job, a move that could help break the political stalemate has fueled the country’s bitter sectarian violence.

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Shiite leaders are “highly likely” to choose another candidate for prime minister in the next few days, a senior Shiite alliance official said this afternoon. The candidate may come from Mr. Jaafari’s Islamic Dawa Party, the official said. “There are many stories circulating and the field is opening up, but it will still likely be someone from Dawa,” he said.

Last weekend, Mr. Jaafari’s Shiite rivals had agreed to allow the prime minister’s post to stay in Dawa’s hands if Mr. Jaafari would step aside.

It seems as if we have been at this point before, so I shan’t hold my breath. However, I believe that this is the most specific statement along these lines that I have seen (i.e., the specific statement that a replacement would come fro Dawa, etc).