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Scientist Emerges as Top Choice to Lead Iraq

An Iraqi nuclear scientist who spent years in the Abu Ghraib prison under Saddam Hussein has emerged as a top U.N. choice to become prime minister in Iraq's interim government, an Iraqi official says. A moderate Shiite, Hussain al-Shahristani is known for his management skills and has no formal ties to any Iraqi political party. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.

Copyright 2004 NPR

Eric Westervelt is a San Francisco-based senior editor-correspondent for NPR's National Desk.