Mr. Chalabi, a former exile and a Pentagon favorite who helped make the case for invading Iraq, is widely disliked here, particularly among Sunnis, angered by his campaign to oust former Baath Party members from the new government.

Another new element was the wavering of a voting bloc of about 30 elected alliance members who follow Ahmad Chalabi, a onetime Pentagon favorite who declared himself a candidate for prime minister after the elections.

Some of the Sunni cabinet nominees have also run into resistance from a committee within the Shiite alliance that included Ahmad Chalabi, the former Pentagon favorite who remodeled himself as a Shiite leader last year.

It was not clear, however, whether Ahmad Chalabi, a Pentagon favorite who has accused Mr. Brahimi of trying to marginalize him and other former exiles, would be included in the government.

The list led by Ahmad Chalabi, the former Pentagon favorite who was considered a strong candidate for prime minister, did not win a single seat.

The most powerful supporter has been Ahmad Chalabi, a vice prime minister and a former Pentagon favorite.

Secular Shiites AHMAD CHALABI - Deputy prime minister, a former Pentagon favorite.

That would give Pentagon favorites, including Ahmad Chalabi, the head of the Iraqi National Congress, a huge advantage in the eventual leadership of the country.

Options include Hussain al-Shahristani, a former nuclear physicist, and Ali Allawi, the finance minister and a cousin of Ahmad Chalabi, the former Pentagon favorite.

Mr. Muhammadawi is a close ally of Ahmad Chalabi, the former Pentagon favorite who last week withdrew his bid to become prime minister.