Allawi said in an interview with al-Sumariya TV that he has asked his party to "submit a request” to push the date back because "the elections are expensive and need protection and they must be provided with a right atmosphere.”

He said that it is not the UN’s task to supervise the elections, adding that it “can contribute or monitor elections that require normal conditions that are not available in Iraq.”

Allawi also criticized Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis- Plasschaert, saying that she “is not suitable for being in the position,” without going into details.

Early elections were originally scheduled for June, but have been pushed back to October.

Reporter's code: 50101