In news from Iraq, the Shiite Muslim coalition that won Iraq’s election has chosen Ibrahim Jaafari as its prime ministerial candidate. He is currently serving as the country’s interim vice president and is the head of the Dawa party, a leading Shiite political party. Jaafari lived in exile for most of the past 25 years including 10 years in Iran. In previous interviews he has said that Islam should be the official religion of Iraq and that Islam should served as one of the main sources for Iraqi law. Jaafari has also spoken of increasing ties to Iran. He has said, “I personally look at Iran as part of the geographical entourage of Iraq and a friendly state which stood by Iraq’s side in time of crisis.”