BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) – Interim Vice-President Ibrahim al-Jaafari was chosen as his Shiite ticket’s candidate for Iraq’s next prime minister yesterday, after Ahmad Chalabi dropped his bid, senior alliance officials said.

Pressure from within the ranks of the winning United Iraqi Alliance forced Chalabi to withdraw, said Hussein al-Moussawi from the Shiite Political Council, an umbrella group for 38 Shiite parties.

Some of Chalabi’s aides, including Qaisar Witwit, suggested he was being offered the post of deputy prime minister in charge of economic and security affairs. When asked about the deal, Chalabi said simply, “we will see”.

Al-Jaafari said dealing with insurgents and re-establishing security would be the first task of his government if he becomes prime minister. “The security situation is the first matter we will address,” he said.

A number of arduous steps, however, are still required for al-Jaafari to take up the post.

The assembly, when it convenes as early as next week – no date has been set – must first elect by a two thirds majority vote, or 182 seats, a president and two vice- presidents.

The three, known as the Presidency Council, then have two weeks to unanimously name a prime minister. If they can’t, the assembly must do so and approve a candidate by a two-thirds majority vote.

Once the prime minister is appointed, he has one month to propose his cabinet and present it to the assembly for approval.

Al-Jaafari’s road to the premiership will not be easy. The alliance must seek the support of the Kurdish coalition, which garnered 75 seats. The Kurds have indicated they will support the Shiite candidate for prime minister in return for the post of president.

Until Chalabi agreed to withdraw, the 140 members of the alliance had planned to put the decision between Chalabi and al-Jaafari to a secret ballot yesterday.

The decision to nominate al-Jaafari came after three days of round-the-clock negotiating by senior members of alliance. Bargaining for the job began shortly after the January 30 elections, with Chalabi making a surprise bid for the senior post in the next government.