The mayhem increases

Get me to election day

Aide to Iraqi Shia leader killed

A representative of Iraq's top Shia Muslim cleric has been assassinated along with four bodyguards and his son.

The attack against Sheikh Mahmoud al-Madaini came after evening prayers on Wednesday in town of Salman Pak.

He headed the office of Ayatollah Ali Sistani in the Sunni-majority town in the lawless zone south of Baghdad.

It is the latest of a string of attacks launched by mainly-Sunni insurgents to derail national elections scheduled for 30 January.

Sheikh Al-Madaini had already received death threats from opponents of the elections. Ayatollah Sistani is not running for office himself, but he has given his approval to the United Iraqi Alliance, a coalition of mainly Shia political parties.

OK, now which Sunni insurgent got close to Sistani.

Look, there are Shia who are in the resistance and happy to kill both Sistani and anyone else who even looks like they're supporting Americans. I don't think Sunnis can get that close.

More political parties, individuals withdraw from Iraqi elections

BAGHDAD, Jan. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Due to the grim security situationin Iraq, more political parties and individuals have withdrawn from the landmark elections due on Jan. 30.

According to the Al Furat newspaper, 53 political parties and organizations as well as 30 individuals have asked their names to be dropped from the election lists in a bid to show their rejection of elections under US occupation.

A Sunni tribal coalition, the Patriotic Front for Iraqi Tribes,said on Wednesday that it would withdraw from the elections unlessit is postponed till the day when security improves.

The coalition said the announcement was also in protest againstthe US detention of the alliance's leader Hassan Zeidan Khalaf al-Lihebi.

The alliance is the latest major Sunni group that challenged the Iraqi authority which had refused to postpone the elections.

The Iraqi Islamic Party, the biggest Sunni party, had earlier announced its withdrawal, saying the deteriorating situation prevents voters from voting and even getting full knowledge of thecandidates.

Observers claim that more withdrawals are expected due to disputes on the elections among various political groups and individuals.

However, the United States and the interim Iraqi government rule out the possibility of postponing the poll.

Delaying Iraq's elections beyond Jan. 30 would give insurgents a tactical victory and provide no guarantee that security would improve, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

The mystery election.

posted by Steve @ 10:39:00 AM