The Fadhila party in Iraq's ruling Shi'ite Alliance said on Tuesday it was ready to put forward an alternative candidate for prime minister instead of Ibrahim al-Jaafari to end a stand-off over his nomination.

"If the Iraqi Alliance cannot nominate Jaafari anyone from the Alliance can present their own candidate who they see as the right person to save the political process and get us out of this impasse," Fadhila spokesman Sabah al-Saadi told a news conference.

The Alliance is expected to drop Jaafari as its choice for prime minister in the new government due to pressure from Kurdish and Sunni politicians.

But Alliance officials fear removing him could split the bloc at a time when Iraq needs a united leadership to tackle insurgent violence and ease sectarian tensions.

(Chinadaily.com via agencies April 11, 2006)