Iraq PM candidates face off

Ahmad Chalabi, a secular Shiite once known for his ties to Washington, and Ibrahim al-Jaafari, the conservative interim vice-president, were expected to face off in a secret ballot today to determine who will be the Shiite majority's choice for Iraqi prime minister, officials say.

About two dozen top Shiite politicians were meeting at the heavily fortified building that serves as the headquarters for the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq's leader, Abdel-Aziz al-Hakim, in a bid to decide their candidate.

If no decision is reached - so far neither Chalabi or al-Jaafari have showed any signs of backing down - the 140 members of the clergy-backed United Iraqi Alliance will hold for a secret ballot to decide the issue.