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 setback for Khazali's efforts to rebrand himself and could weaken Iran's broad strategy of maintaining influence over multiple allied factions in Iraq's political system.

IRAQIS DISILLUSIONED WITH POLITICIANS AND MILITIAS

Many Iraqis are bracing for an election they fear will change little, with elites, including pro-Iranian militias, not delivering much since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Iranian-backed Shi'ite groups such as Khazali's have acquired enormous power since Saddam Hussein and his........

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