Iraq faces 'disaster' without reconciliation: Allawi

Allawi, who will stand down once a new prime minister is appointed following the landmark January 30 election, also told the Post in an interview that he would consider moving to another Arab country after leaving office if his security could not be guaranteed.

Iraq is in the grip of a Sunni insurgency that even since the election has seen daily attacks on security forces and mainly Shia targets.

Allawi said: "If the objective of national unity is missed if the objective of national reconciliation is overlooked, then this will definitely spell out disaster."

He added: "If the right decisions are not taken, yes, the country could really head into severe problems."

The prime minister said Iraq was not now in grip of a civil war but said "it could be heading really toward severe turbulence."

Allawi's party came a distance third in the election for a 275 member national assembly that will draw up a new constitution and appoint a presidency council that will choose a government.

The election was won by the Shia pro-Islamist United Iraqi Alliance and Allawi expressed concern that this could bring religion formally into politics.

He said this would also be a "disaster" and was also worried about the influence of Iran, which protected many Shia leaders during Saddam Hussein's rule.

Syria was also a problem, Allawi said.

Meanwhile, Iraqi Shias marked their holiest religious festival of Ashura yesterday, a day after attacks targeting the majority community killed 34 people in and around Baghdad following its historic victory in last month's elections.

The day started with the deaths of six people in three separate attacks north of Baghdad, followed by a large explosion in the capital which targeted a police patrol but caused no casualties.