By Ahmed Rasheed

BAGHDAD (Reuters) -Qais Al-Khazali, a militia leader who has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States and is an important ally of Iran, has sought to soften his image in a quest to become one of Iraq’s top politicians.

Success for his Iran-aligned Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq movement in a parliamentary election on Tuesday would be another step in his attempts to reinvent himself, giving him more influence in the Shi’ite leadership and leverage in the formation of a government.

It would also cement his group’s shift from armed militia to political force and help strengthen the sway of Iran-aligned factions on Iraq’s political landscape.

But a poor showing by Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, which has won seats in parliament in previous elections, would be a significant setbac

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