The United States and Britain have urged Iraq's leaders to break their political deadlock as quickly as possible to avoid civil war and take the country forward.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, on a sudden visit, told Iraqi leaders the political vacuum - with no government four months after elections - was undermining security.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw in Iraq yesterday
Sectarian violence has spiralled since a Shia shrine was bombed on February 22nd, and many Iraqis and foreign governments believe the only way to quell the bloodshed and avert civil war is a rainbow government of Shias, Sunnis and Kurds.
Ms Rice and Mr Straw stressed foreign governments could not tell Iraqis who their prime minister should be, but that at the same time Iraq's international supporters needed to see progress.
Their visit and the tone of their comments made it clear interim Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari did not meet their conditions.
Mr Jaafari's critics and his own allies have increasingly called for him to step aside and not take up a second term, saying the Shia leader cannot bring the needed unity and security.
Talks among Iraq's political leaders over forming a new government after parliamentary elections have stalled on the fate of Mr Jaafari, and details such as a Sunni demand for a security veto in any new administration.
