Report: Former Iraqi parliament speaker to lead new Sunni political movement

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A new Sunni political movement is being organized across Sunni-majority areas of Iraq, with former parliament speaker Osama al-Nujaifi expected to lead the grouping, according to a report published in the London-based Majalle magazine. The report, citing a senior Sunni political source, said the planned movement is expected to include former minister Rifat al-Issawi, lawmaker Zafer al-Ani, former governor and minister Qasim al-Fahdawi, and politician Mishan al-Juburi. According to the report, the new formation is being established with support from regional countries and is expected to adopt a political line more distant from Iran's strategy. It also described widening cracks within the Shia Coordination Framework and said the premiership has become a focal point for managing internal disputes. The Majalle report said Iraq's Sunni political landscape has split into three main currents: the Progress Party led by Mohammed al-Halbousi, the Sovereignty Alliance headed by Khamis al-Khanjar, and the Azm Alliance of detained politician Muthanna al-Samarrai. It also said al-Halbousi recently visited Erbil and met with Massoud Barzani, with discussions including the possibility of forming new regions in western Iraq.