Sunni-backed Leader: Crisis Tearing Iraq Apart

BAGHDAD (AP) — The leader of Iraq’s main Sunni-backed bloc says the war-ravaged country needs new leaders to prevent it from disintegrating along sectarian lines.

Ayad Allawi told reporters Wednesday that Iraq needs a new prime minister or new elections to prevent the country from falling apart just weeks after the U.S. military withdrawal.

He accused Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of targeting Sunni officials and triggering a political crisis.

The crisis erupted last month after al-Maliki’s government issued an arrest warrant against the Sunni vice president on terrorism charges. In protest, Iraqiya has been boycotting parliament and cabinet sessions.