The Shia choice for prime minister has been rejected by Kurds and Sunnis for failing to halt the bloodshed. Hopes that a government of national unity could quickly defuse conflict between Iraq’s ethnic groups and prepare the way for the early withdrawal of US and British troops were thrown into doubt yesterday after Kurdish and Sunni politicians rejected the majority Shia bloc’s choice of prime minister. Ibrahim Jaafari has been blamed for failing to provide the leadership necessary to bring the past week’s mayhem under control. His competence after nearly a year as Prime Minister had already been widely questioned, and he has been accused of permitting Shia death squads to operate within uniformed security forces. Full Story