Allawi says to accept another candidate from his bloc for premiership

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Head of al-Iraqiya List, Iyad Allawi, expressed on Monday his readiness to accept another candidate from his list for the premiership if al-Iraqiya will form the government. “Willing to give PM position to other members in Iraqiya, if the bloc will form the new government,” Allawi told Reuters. “I hope in October some time, late October (things will be sorted out),” Allawi said in an interview. “We are still in a preliminary stage. We know that there is a delay, but it is important to be safe and sure than sorry … the United States is leaving, they have started already to draw down, and we believe that there is a lot to be done in this country to make it safe and stable.” Iraq has been in a political vacuum since the March 7 election which Allawi’s Iraqiya won by two seats over State of Law, although neither party won the majority needed to govern. Allawi and Maliki’s blocs have held tentative negotiations, but at the same time have also both been reaching out to other potential partners. SH (P) 1