Allawi Forms Secular Coalition to Rival Shiite Alliance in Iraq

By JOHN F. BURNS

Published: February 23, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 23 - The interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, stepped up his bid to remain in the office today by announcing the formation of a new secular coalition that he and his supporters have said will seek to outmaneuver Shiite religious parties in the contest to form a new transitional government.