Caretaker govt sought for Iraq

Vote winner Allawi denounces effort to 'marginalize' his coalition

BAGHDAD - A Sunni-backed bloc that came out ahead in Iraq's election but whose slim lead is threatened by efforts to disqualify candidates called on Wednesday for the creation of an internationally monitored caretaker government.

The Iraqiya list of ex-premier Ayad Allawi said parliament should be reconvened to supervise the Shiite-led authorities until the results of the March 7 election are ratified, and to prevent the "theft" of the election and a spike in violence.