Iraqi prime minister rejects calls to step down: Car bomb kills 10, wounds more than 30 in holy city of Najaf

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's embattled prime minister vowed Thursday topursue his bid for a second term despite pressure to step down,signaling no early end to the standoff blocking a national unitygovernment.

Shiite politicians suggested they may turn to Grand Ayatollah Alial-Sistani, the sole figure with the authority to make a decisionthat risks shattering Shiite unity.

In a brutal reminder of the stakes if Iraqi leaders cannot reversethe slide toward chaos, a car bomb exploded Thursday in the country'smost sacred Shiite city, Najaf, killing 10 people and wounding morethan 30.

Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari told reporters he wouldrelinquish his mandate …