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US won't support a Maliki-Sadr alliance
Washington said it would no longer back incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki unless he breaks ties with Moqtada Sadr, a source said.
Maliki moved close to the 163-seat majority needed to form a government in Iraq after lawmakers loyal to Sadr, an anti-American cleric, their support behind the incumbent.
In turn, Sadr supporters allegedly gave Maliki until Friday to meet their calls for key ministerial positions in a new government, including oversight over appointments in the ministry of defense, London's pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reports.
Washington expressed reluctance over dealing with a Baghdad government with supporters of its arch Iraqi foe holding key Cabinet positions. Sources in the Shiite-led National Iraqi Alliance, led by revered cleric Ammar al-Hakim, said Washington called on Maliki to abandon the Sadrists, the London newspaper adds.