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Iraqi Sunni coalition falls apart as power struggle ensues

As a united Sunni coalition has failed, Iraq's Sunni political forces have divided into several alliances, each hoping to win as many parliamentary seats as possible and occupy the position of "Sunni leadership" for the next four years.
Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq (L), Sunni Muslim MP Dhafer al-Aanie (R) listen on as former Iraqi Speaker of Parliament Osama al-Nujaifi speaks during a press conference after Iraq's new parliament failed to elect a speaker as its first session ended in disarray, on July 1, 2014, in Baghdad, with MPs due to meet again in a week. AFP PHOTO/AHMAD AL-RUBAYE        (Photo credit should read AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images)

BAGHDAD — Out of the 27 alliances registered with the Independent High Electoral Commission for the upcoming Iraqi general elections set for May, around 10 alliances represent the Sunni community. In fact, most of these alliances used to be part of the Coalition of Iraqi Sunni Forces.

The most notable coalitions are the Iraqi Decision Alliance led by Vice President Osama al-Nujaifi and Sheikh Khamis al-Khanjar; the National Coalition led by former Vice President Ayad Allawi, parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and former Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq; and the Solidarity Coalition led by Sheikh Wadhah al-Sadid.

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