Iraq's Sunni alliance threatens to withdraw from elections
13/1/2005 11:37
A Sunni tribal coalition said Wednesday it would withdraw from Iraq's
landmark elections due on Jan. 30 unless it is postponed until security
improves.
The Patriotic Front for Iraqi Tribes said the announcement was also
in protest against the US detention of the alliance's leader.
Hassan Zeidan
Khalaf al-Lihebi, a former general serving in Saddam Hussein's army but having
retired before the US-led invasion, was detained by the American forces last
week. The US army had no comment on the capture.
Hassan's alliance,
established last summer to run in the parliamentary elections, grouped more than
40 Sunni tribes and would probably enjoy the support of 3 million voters if it
goes on with the upcoming elections.
The alliance is the latest major Sunni
group that challenges the Iraqi authority which had pinned its hope on a
nationwide voting to take place as scheduled.
Iraqi Islamic Party, the
biggest Sunni party, had earlier announced its withdrawal, saying the
deteriorating situation prevents voters from voting and even getting full
knowledge of the candidates.
The Islamic Scholars Association, another
influential religious body in the Sunni community, has called for a general
boycott of the elections.
Xinhua
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