Iraqi political forces began preparing for general elections, slated at the end of the year, leading to the formation of Iraq's first elected government. Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi announced Monday he is seeking to establish a new political front of democratic and secular forces to compete against the Islamic political forces. Also two political parties -- the Iraqi Umma Movement led by Mithal Aloussi and the Movement of New Iraq under Tarek Maamouri -- announced that they will merge, with the new party to be known as the Democratic Iraqi Umma Movement. A joint statement said the new party will be headed by Aloussi, a former member of Ahmed Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress. He was expelled after visiting Israel last September. The statement said the new party will be a liberal and reformist movement whose objective is to prevent sectarian and ethnic confrontations.