Iraq Shi'ites stall on agreeing parlt session

BAGHDAD, Mar 9 (Reuters) The parties in Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance, the biggest bloc in parliament, failed to agree today on whether to support convening a first session of the new legislature on Sunday, political sources in the bloc said.

''They were unable to come to an agreement,'' one source said.

''The meeting is over and they will discuss it again tomorrow.'' A second source confirmed Alliance leaders would meet again tomorrow after failing to resolve their internal differences.

Earlier, members of the Alliance met Iraq's president and other parties and agreed to accept that Sunday is indeed a final constitutional deadline for holding the first sitting. But some in the Shi'ite bloc are still reluctant to attend on March 12.

The Alliance had asked President Jalal Talabani earlier this week for a few days delay beyond Sunday to give time to resolve its internal divisions over its response to pressure from Sunni and Kurdish blocs to drop Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

The Alliance comprises more than a dozen political groups, including three main rival factions. Some favour joining a parliamentary session on Sunday and are ready to consider nominating an alternative to Jaafari as prime minister.

Others, among them Jaafari's Dawa party, are threatening to stay away on Sunday. Parliament, elected in December, could still sit but without the Alliance it would barely reach a quorum. In principle, its first task is to elect a speaker.

REUTERS KD HT2258