Kurds to discuss Iraqi premier's bid to keep power

[October 02, 2010]  SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq (AP) -- A senior Kurdish official says Kurdish lawmakers will discuss whether to throw their support behind Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and likely seal his bid for a second term.

The Kurds now hold the crucial seats that could give al-Maliki's Shiite-led coalition a parliament majority and the power to form a new government after a nearly seven-month political impasse.

The Kurdish official says the lawmakers plan to meet Saturday -- a day after al-Maliki's bloc received a key boost from powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

The Kurds are likely to back al-Maliki, but have many demands, including greater influence over the oil-rich Kirkuk region.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to brief media.

[Associated Press; By YAHYA BARZANJI]

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