Sadrists call for new elections in Iraq

Source: AP via CBS

The political party loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for the dissolution of Iraq's parliament and new elections in another move that could escalate the country's growing sectarian crisis.

The anti-American Sadrist bloc is a partner in the Shiite-dominated government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Bahaa al-Aaraji, the head of the Sadrists' bloc in parliament, said Monday that the elections are needed because of instability in the country and problems that threaten Iraq's sovereignty. <snip>

The new political crisis has been accompanied by a new wave of attacks on the Iraqi capital by suspected Sunni insurgents linked to al Qaeda. A suicide bomber set off a car bomb Monday at a checkpoint leading to the Interior Ministry, killing seven people and injuring 32, officials said. Police and hospital officials said the bomber struck during morning rush hour, hitting one of many security barriers set up around the ministry's building.

Al-Maliki is in a political showdown with the country's top Sunni political figure, Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, after the government issued an arrest warrant for al-Hashemi on allegations his bodyguards ran hit squads targeting government officials.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57348551/sadrists-call-for-new-elections-in-iraq/?tag=stack

Well, that's Iraq. ;-)