based Al-Watan said the outgoing Iraqi premier Noori al-Maleki has accused his opponent Iyad Allawi of trying to internationalize the Iraqi elections at a time when al-Maleki has sent a delegation to Tehran despite his shakable relations with Iran, adding that it seems that al-Maleki believes that the shortest way for him to remain in power comes through playing with sectarian feelings which are fueled by Iran. The pressure put up by Iran has only led to a coalition between the list of Noori al-Maleki and the national coalition which includes Shiite parties. This Iranian pressure has become clear when Ammar al-Hakeem, the prominent leader at the national coalition, has announced indirectly his support to Allawi. "Undoubtedly, Iran is the greatest beneficiary from disappearance of Allawi whose list includes a number of Sunnis who are capable of restoring balance to Iraq. The role of Iran in Iraq has become very clear and it is high time for the international community to resist this Iranian intervention in the domestic affairs of Iraq in a manner that escalates sectarianism and does not serve the interests of Iraq."
