Iraqi Shi'ite politicians demand cabinet reshuffle

BAGHDAD, Oct 1 (Reuters) Leading members of Iraq's Shi'ite Alliance demanded a major cabinet reshuffle today as Nuri al-Maliki's Shi'ite-led government struggles to quell communal violence and improve basic services.

''We demand the prime minister ... carry out a broad cabinet reshuffle, especially in the security and services portfolios,'' Bahaa al-Araji, a member of the United Iraqi Alliance, parliament's largest bloc, told a news conference.

Several other prominent figures from the Alliance said the government needed an overhaul.

The demand is likely to increase political tension between Iraq's parliamentary blocs, which struggled for months to agree on the allocation of cabinet posts.

Another senior Alliance member, from Maliki's Dawa party, said he expected Maliki to announce a reshuffle within a month.

''There is large support for a change to the cabinet from the Alliance. We believe the prime minister is strong but his cabinet is weak. He will find our full support if he plans to make changes,'' said the member, who declined to be quoted by name.

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