Liberals Hit Back at Iraq's New Islamists

The Guardian reports that Iraq's leading secular and liberal groups have launched a political counter-attack against what they call the undue influence of hardline Shia Islamists and Iran's theocracy on the formation of Iraq's new government.

They are increasingly suspicious of Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a conservative Islamist with suspected links to Tehran.

Despite repeated public assurances from Mr Jaafari that he will not seek to impose sharia law, there are worries among mainstream Iraqis that a government dominated by the two main Shia parties could further heighten divisions and intolerance in a country that has a strong tradition of secularism. ...

A senior official close to the discussions, which involved prominent secular-minded Shia, Kurdish and Sunni figures, said: "There is no intention of disregarding the election results and excluding the Islamists from the political process ... But it would be very dangerous if they or the clerics of Iran were allowed to be in the driving seat." ...

Qassem Dawoud, the national security adviser and an ally of Mr Allawi, said: "Iraqis are mostly Muslims, but this is not an Islamic republic and it never will be. The people won't accept it. I trust that Mr Jaafari has the wisdom to see that."

According to a memorandum of understanding between the prospective coalition partners, Islam is mentioned as "a" source of legislation, rather than "the" source.

Mr Jaafari has also said he will not permit any outside interference in Iraq's affairs.

The leaders of the UIA dismiss talk of clerical interference as paranoia. "We have so many problems to face in Iraq, right now. Fighting over Sharia law would not be sensible now," said a SCIRI official.