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Iraq election row goes to court Iraq election row goes to court
(about 19 hours later)
Iraq's President Jalal Talabani has asked the country's Supreme Court to settle a political dispute ahead of national elections on 7 March.Iraq's President Jalal Talabani has asked the country's Supreme Court to settle a political dispute ahead of national elections on 7 March.
President Talabani's request comes after the Justice and Accountability Commission barred about 500 candidates from running in the elections.President Talabani's request comes after the Justice and Accountability Commission barred about 500 candidates from running in the elections.
Mr Talabani says that the commission's decision might not be legal as it has not been approved by parliament.Mr Talabani says that the commission's decision might not be legal as it has not been approved by parliament.
The body said some of those banned had ties to the outlawed Baath party.The body said some of those banned had ties to the outlawed Baath party.
The Justice and Accountability Commission is responsible for ensuring the Baath party, once led by Saddam Hussein, does not make a comeback in Iraqi politics. The Accountability and Justice Commission is responsible for ensuring the Baath party, once led by Saddam Hussein, does not make a comeback in Iraqi politics.
The body is headed by the Shia politician Ahmed Chalabi, a former deputy prime minister who supported the US-led invasion of Iraq.
The decision has caused a political storm. An official list of those barred has not been published but is reported to include several prominent Sunni Arab politicians.The decision has caused a political storm. An official list of those barred has not been published but is reported to include several prominent Sunni Arab politicians.
Some question the motive for the disqualifications and fear it will stoke up sectarian tensions. Many Sunni Arabs boycotted the last parliamentary election in 2005.Some question the motive for the disqualifications and fear it will stoke up sectarian tensions. Many Sunni Arabs boycotted the last parliamentary election in 2005.
Mr Talabani said that there should be a distinction between hardcore supporters of Saddam Hussein and people who joined the Baath party for other reasons. "We should not be unjust with them," Talabani said.Mr Talabani said that there should be a distinction between hardcore supporters of Saddam Hussein and people who joined the Baath party for other reasons. "We should not be unjust with them," Talabani said.
"We asked in an official letter to judge Madhat al-Mahmud [president of the Iraqi Supreme Court] that he rule on the legality of the integrity and accountability committee. Our question is: 'Is the organisation that took this decision legal?'" Mr Talabani told reporters in Baghdad."We asked in an official letter to judge Madhat al-Mahmud [president of the Iraqi Supreme Court] that he rule on the legality of the integrity and accountability committee. Our question is: 'Is the organisation that took this decision legal?'" Mr Talabani told reporters in Baghdad.
The president also questioned the timing of the ban. "I wish this decision had been taken another time," he said.The president also questioned the timing of the ban. "I wish this decision had been taken another time," he said.
The 7 March election is regarded as a crucial test for Iraq's national reconciliation process and ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages.The 7 March election is regarded as a crucial test for Iraq's national reconciliation process and ahead of a planned US military withdrawal in stages.
The United States has also expressed concern at the situation. In a statement earlier this week, Vice-President Joe Biden called on Iraqi leaders to make sure the elections are inclusive.The United States has also expressed concern at the situation. In a statement earlier this week, Vice-President Joe Biden called on Iraqi leaders to make sure the elections are inclusive.
Meanwhile on Thursday thousands took to the streets of the mainly Shia city of Najaf in support of the ban.Meanwhile on Thursday thousands took to the streets of the mainly Shia city of Najaf in support of the ban.