Iraq's interim-Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari has rejected growing pressure on him to resign, saying Iraqis must be left to choose their leader democratically. In an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper today, Mr Jaafari brushed aside calls from opponents and some political allies to step aside to break a political deadlock. Mr Jaafari's critics and some allies have called for him to step aside, saying the Shiite leader cannot bring the needed unity and security. "There is a decision that was reached by a democratic mechanism and I stand with it," he told the newspaper. "We have to protect democracy in Iraq and it is democracy which should decide who leads Iraq."
| Democracy also says that, in a parliamentary system, if you can't win a vote of confidence you step aside. |
Mr Jaafari says no consensus had been reached during talks with Dr Rice and her British counterpart, Jack Straw. "I heard their points of view even though I disagree with them," he told the Guardian. "People will react if they see the rules of democracy being disobeyed.
"Every politician and every friend of Iraq should not want people to be frustrated."