NASIRIYAH, April 11: Ahmad Chalabi, pro-West Iraq leader widely tipped to become the next leader of Iraq, on Friday predicted a swift transition of power from US administrators to civilian rule, as his aides claimed the backing of the White House.
“I think it will be a quick transition,” Chalabi said after a meeting with tribal leaders at his base near Nasiriyah.
The leader of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) set up offices along with 700 members of the Free Iraqi Forces (FIF) who were taking part in a secret mission with US special forces.
The Pentagon’s show of support for the wealthy businessman, who was based in London before returning to his homeland two months ago, is thought to have created tensions with the State Department and other parts of the US administration.
It has also irked other factions of Iraq’s notoriously fractious opposition, who claim Chalabi’s long years abroad have left him out of touch with the needs of the people.
His adviser, Francis Brooke, further stirred the controversy on Friday by claiming the INC and the White House had established a “partnership”.
“We have had extended conversations with the Bush administration and consider ourselves partners with the White House,” said Mr Brooke.
Mr Chalabi could be seen holding a series of meetings with tribal elders on Friday, seated on US army fold-up beds as part of his drive for a key role in the post-Saddam era.
A retired US general, Jay Garner, is to take up the post of head of an interim administration for Iraq in the coming days, but Mr Chalabi has called for elections to be held within two years after a new constitution is drawn up.
Mr Brooke said Chalabi had received the support of tribal leaders from all over Iraq.
“We have met with every dignitary and tribal leader in and around Nasiriyah and have received visits of notables from Basra, Karbala, Baghdad — all over the country.”
Mr Chalabi has been working out of a windowless warehouse, and is constantly accompanied by six bodyguards.
The FIF fighters are sleeping in adjoining dormitories, parts of which were reduced to rubble by allied bombing during the 1991 invasion. Among his entourage is his daughter Tamara, who criticized the US military for failing to tackle rampant looting in Baghdad. —AFP
