New Iraqi leader nominated

by on May 28th, 2004

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040528_1317.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq May 28, 2004 — The Iraqi Governing Council on Friday chose one of its members, Iyad Allawi, a Shiite Muslim and former exiled opponent of Saddam Hussein, to become prime minister in the new government taking power June 30.

A senior Bush administration official in Baghdad confirmed Allawi will take over at the end of next month, adding, “we are delighted with the choice.” The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Allawi has broad political support in Iraq.

The timing of announcement came as a surprise to the United Nations, which has been leading the process of choosing the government. But U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi “respects” the decision and is willing to work with Allawi to pick the rest of the government, a U.N. spokesman in New York said.

Etalkinghead Staff