Iraqis Want to Scrap U.S. Plan for Gov't
By JIM KRANE
Associated Press Writer
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)--A consensus is building among Iraqi leaders to scrap a U.S. formula for choosing a new government and instead to hold elections later this year, several Iraqi officials and Governing Council members said Friday after meeting a U.N. envoy.
A U.N. spokesman, meanwhile, said it was unlikely elections could be held before the U.S.-led occupation authority transfers power to an Iraqi government by July, as demanded by the country's powerful Shiite Muslim clergy.
Some members of the U.S.-picked Governing Council were pushing a plan to hand power to an expanded council, which would rule Iraq after June 30. The council would then arrange elections before the end of the year.
Support for this plan appeared strongest among the 13 Shiite council members.
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