Sunni clerics want political role in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Leading Sunni Muslim clerics who boycotted the Iraqi election said yesterday they would "respect the choice of those who voted" and work with a new government, even though they considered the election invalid.

The statement, while accompanied by renewed criticisms of the election, signaled that the major Sunni group wants to be included in the formation of a new government. Sunnis' turnout in Sunday's election was expected to be light, possibly leaving them with relatively few seats in the new Parliament.

Ballots still are being counted, but interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi gathered the heads of 16 parties in his office yesterday to begin work on compromises to guarantee a delicate balance of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds in the next government.

The major political groups have said they would put aside competition and work to achieve a balance for the sake of national stability.

"All parts and all sectors of Iraqi society should be involved," said a statement from Allawi's office after the meeting. "All agreed that every effort would be made to broaden the national dialogue and build national unity."

Allawi may no longer be prime minister. As expected, the head of the major Shiite-backed list, Abdul Aziz Hakim, told The Associated Press that the next prime minister should come from the parties on his list.

The Shiite grouping of parties is widely expected to have the largest bloc in the next Parliament.

Allawi is a Shiite but ran with a secular list that is likely to be the second- or third-largest party in the next Parliament.

Shiites, long oppressed during Saddam Hussein's rule, make up an estimated 60 percent of the population.

The minority Sunni Muslims, an estimated 20 percent of the population, held much of the power under Saddam, and their religious leaders urged them to boycott the election.

But in its first statement since the balloting, the Sunni Association of Muslim Scholars said it would "consider the new government ... as a transitional government with limited powers."

The Parliament that is to be formed has been designated as transitional, charged with writing a constitution and holding another election in December.

The clerics' withdrawal last fall from the election had threatened to undermine the poll's legitimacy. Their decision and threats aimed at Sunnis from insurgents opposed to the election sharply dampened turnout in some Sunni areas.

A Western diplomat who closely monitored the election estimated "anecdotally" that turnout was less than 50 percent in Sunni areas. Shiites and Kurds, by comparison, voted enthusiastically and in large numbers.

The Iraqi election commission, tabulating the ballots from 29,000 election stations, said it will take a week or longer before complete results and turnout figures are announced.

The clerics said the expected low Sunni turnout confirms their position that the vote, taken while U.S. and other foreign troops are in Iraq, is illegitimate.

"We make it clear to the United Nations and the international community that they should not get involved in granting this election legitimacy because such a move will open the gates of evil," the statement said.

But the Western diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Sunni politicians apparently realize they should not stay out of the next government.

"I think there is a recognition up and down the Sunni community ... that there is a political process going forward, including the drafting of the constitution," he said.