Anti-US faction lends PM support

Powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr backed Iraq's prime minister to retain power yesterday in a move that could end a seven-month impasse.

The decision marks a boost for prime minister Nouri al-Maliki's Shia-led coalition toward securing enough parliamentary seats to form a government. For months, the anti-US Sadrists had called for Mr al-Maliki to be replaced.