(15 Sep 2007) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of al Sadr officials at news conference
2. SOUNDBITE: (Arabic) Liwa Smeisim, head of the political committee of al-Sadr's movement:
"Because no positive signs and moves have appeared from the United Iraqi Alliance side towards the demands made by the Sadrist movement, the political committee of the martyr al-Sadr's office announces the withdrawal of the Sadrist bloc in parliament from the United Iraqi Alliance."
3. Mid of officials leaving
STORYLINE
Iraqi lawmakers loyal to Islamist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced on Saturday they were withdrawing from the Shiite bloc in parliament - a move that would be a major blow to the government's base in the legislature.
Liwa Smeisim, head of the political committee of al-Sadr's movement, told reporters that the al-Sadr faction, which holds 30 of the 275 seats, had decided to withdraw from the United Iraqi Alliance because it had not responded to its demands.
That leaves the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki with a guaranteed total of only 108 seats - 30 short of a majority.
However, it could likely also count on support from independent Shiites who hold 30 seats and some minor parties.
The decision by al-Sadr's followers is likely to complicate further U.S.-backed efforts to win parliamentary approval of power-sharing legislation, including the oil bill and an easing of curbs that prevent former Saddam Hussein supporters from getting back their government jobs.
It will also add strains to the Shiite political establishment at a time when armed Shiite groups are competing for power in the Shiite south, which includes major religious shrines and much of the oil resources.
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