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Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has expressed grave concern over the resurgence of the loyalists to the outlawed Baath Party of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

President Talabani said a return by the 'dictators' would undo all the achievements of the Iraqi nation especially those of the country's Kurd minority. He added that the Baathists plan to stage a "military coup" and that their return to the Iraqi political current carried a great hazard. The Iraqi leader said the current Baathist efforts were aimed at mustering support from the Arab world.

The comments echoed the cautious tone of a recent report on a classified document obtained by some Iraqi parties from the Baath leaders based at home or abroad. The document suggests that Baath loyalists planned to a stage a comeback through a military rebellion, codenamed Naizak (Meteor). It claimed that the uprising was to be attempted at in cooperation with some Arab states, most notably Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, and in coordination with some current Iraqi political heavyweights.

Demonstrators chant anti-US and anti-Baathists slogans during a protest in Najaf, south of Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, January 24th (© AP)

Talabani's remarks also followed the Iraqi High Electoral Commission's reinstatement of some 500 candidates who had been barred from the country's March 7th parliamentary elections for suspected Baath membership. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and Supreme Court chief Madhat al-Hammud have strongly criticized the ruling as an illegal decision.

A top advisor to the leader of Iraq's Islamic Supreme Council has, meanwhile, said the verdict was issued under pressure from the United States. Late last month, female Shia lawmaker Maha al-Douri said that the US aimed to hand over the control of the country to Baath and Takfiris — both considered to be extremist groups — adding that a recent visit by US Vice President Joe Biden to Iraq had been in line with this purpose.

Supporters of al-Maliki's ruling Islamic Dawa Party on Sunday staged demonstration in the capital city of Baghdad protesting at the removal of the ban, DPA reported. "We will not allow Baath members to return to government," said one of the party leaders, Salah al-Razak to a crowd outside parliament, according to the agency. "We call on our brothers in other provinces to root out the Baathists from all circles, and not allow a single one to remain after today."