FORMER Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari called on Islamist firebrand Muqtada al-Sadr to intervene and mediate between the political parties to defuse the situation following the recent general election.

In a remarkable political reinvention, the Shi’ite cleric has been asked to play the role of peacemaker as tensions between political factions escalate in the aftermath of the May 12 vote.

“There are many challenges surrounding the political situation in Iraq, especially in light of the electoral conflicts, the exchange of accusations and the questioning of their dishonesty, which threatens the democratic process,” Mr Zebari said.

The Sadrist movement was part of the Sairoon Alliance, also including the Iraqi Communist Party, which achieved a shock success in the country’s general election by coming top.

It won 54 out of the 329 seats in the Baghdad parliament, with its victorious candidates including the first communist woman elected by the Shia-dominated Najaf region.

While Mr Sadr is ineligible to be Iraq’s prime minister, many say he is now the “kingmaker” and expect him to play a leading role in the the new leader’s appointment.

However, tensions have been running high following the election, with demonstrations outside the Housing and Construction Ministry in Baghdad today over a continued delay in payment of wages.

And the Communist Party of Iraq headquarters was firebombed last week, in what party officials claimed was an attempt by opposition groups to frustrate negotiations over a new government.

With talks over the composition of the government expected to take months, Mr Zebari called on the Islamist cleric to help “defuse the political crisis.”

Losers in the Iraqi elections have alleged electoral fraud and corruption and called for investigations.

However, Mr Sadr hit back, rejecting foreign interference, as he called for the formation of an “inclusive government” as soon as possible.

“Iran is a neighbouring country and we are concerned with its interests. We hope it will not interfere in Iraqi affairs, as we reject anyone interfering in its affairs as well.

“As for the US, it is an occupying country that we never allow to interfere,” the cleric said yesterday.

Mr Zebari said that, as “leader and advocate for reform,” Mr Sadr must work to unite all parties to”quell the crisis” and “listen to everyone,” drawing inspiration from the late Iraqi president Jalal Talibani.