Iraq Shi'ite leaders urge Jaafari to quit

BAGHDAD, Apr 1 (Reuters) Members of Iraq's main Shi'ite Alliance said today they want Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari to step down so that a political deadlock over forming a new government can be broken.

''I call on Jaafari to take a courageous step and set a fine example by stepping down,'' said Kasim Daoud, a member of the independent group within the Shi'ite Alliance. Other senior Alliance officials, speaking anonymously, confirmed the request.

It was the first public call for Jaafari to resign within the Alliance.

REUTERS TM KP1641