Shi'ite militiamen see Allawi as Iraq election foe

[ECH1969]

BAGHDAD, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Pro-government Iraqi Shi'ite Muslim militiamen are keen to stop former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi from regaining power in this week's election, but their movement's spokesman said on Monday it would respect democracy.

Allawi is campaigning on a cross-sectarian ticket for Thursday's parliamentary election, picking up votes from the Sunni Arab minority and secular Shi'ites like himself with a vow to ban Islamist militias he says could drag Iraq into civil war.

Allawi, who hopes to lead a coalition government, accuses militias of trying to assassinate him. He also says they are behind abductions and torture uncovered by discoveries of secret police jails, the latest of which was found on Monday.

However, some Badr militiamen seem in aggressive mood. They say they are ready to fight Allawi and minority Sunni Arabs. For some Islamists, the former Baathist Allawi seems to fit the mould of Saddam, who oppressed the Shi'ite majority. "If he wins we will definitely fight him."

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