Worker-communists eventually decide not to contest Iraqi elections
Iraq will hold a general election on 7 March 2010 - later than the previously-planned date in January because of delays in finalising the electoral law. Six large coalitions have been announced to contest the election. "State of Law" is organised around current prime minister Nouri al-Maliki's Dawa party. The Iraqi National Alliance, around the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, the Sadr movement, and Fadila. Iraqiyya, around former prime minister Iyad Allawi, former Iraq Islamic Party leader Tariq al-Hashimi, and some ex-Ba'thists. Tawafuq, around "soft" Sunni Islamists. There is a coalition of...