A member of the governing Shia alliance in Iraq has called on Ibrahim Jaafari to step down as Prime Minister.
Qassim Daoud, who leads an independent bloc within the United Iraqi Alliance, said it would be a courageous step that could help break the political deadlock.
Mr Jaafari was chosen by the ruling Shia-led bloc as Prime Minister after it won December's election.
But Kurdish and Sunni Arab parties have rejected the nomination.
It is reported that Mr Jaafari has been told by the US Ambassador to Iraq that President George W Bush does not want him to remain on as leader.
The delay in forming a government is thought to be partly responsible for fuelling the increasing sectarian violence which has struck Iraq since the election.
