An Iraqi Shi'ite political party has pulled out of talks on forming a new government and criticized other parties for the way top cabinet positions were being distributed.
A spokesman for the Fadhila party, which is one of seven groups in the Shi'ite United Iraqi Alliance, told reporters in Baghdad Friday the party will not to join the cabinet, but will remain in parliament. He said the selection of ministers was being dictated by "personal interests and selfish desires."
Earlier, Iraqi politicians said a dispute within the Alliance over the post of oil minister was holding up the announcement of a new government.
Prime Minister designate Nouri al-Maliki had been expected to announce his new Cabinet Thursday and present it to parliament for approval.
The United States says formation of a unified Iraqi government is key to establishing security in the country.
Meanwhile, the U.S. military said four American Marines drowned late Thursday when their tank rolled off a bridge into a canal in Anbar province, west of Baghdad.
Also on Thursday, separate roadside bomb blasts in Baghdad killed three U.S. soldiers and five Iraqi street cleaners.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
