Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric pushes for govt formation

[k98nights]

Friday July 9, 2010

Iraq's top Shi'ite cleric pushes for govt formation

By Waleed Ibrahim

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who publicly steers clear of politics, may step in with "help and advice" if politicians fail to form a government quickly, his representative said on Friday.

Iraqis carry a poster of top Shi'ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani during a demonstration in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad June 13, 2007. (REUTERS/Ali Abu Shish/Files) Iraq is still without a government more than four months after an inconclusive March parliamentary election seen as a key step toward cementing a fragile democracy more than seven years after the U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein.

Abdul-Mahdi al-Kerbalai, who is a representative of Iraq's most revered Shi'ite cleric and often delivers sermons for him, said Sistani was closely monitoring Iraq's political situation.

"Hopefully the related political blocs show sufficient political maturity and wisdom ... and quickly reach a solution within the constitutional framework and without foreign interference," Kerbalai said during Friday prayers in the holy city of Kerbala.

"If it reaches a deadend, the Marjaiya will spare no efforts to deliver help and advice to reach a solution," he added. The Marjaiya refers to Iraq's senior Shi'ite clergy and often means Sistani himself. It wields huge influence over Iraqi Shi'ites.

A cross-sectarian bloc headed by secularist former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and heavily supported by minority Sunnis won 91 seats in the March 7 vote, two more than the State of Law coalition led by Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The Shi'ite Iraqi National Alliance, whose leaders have close ties to Iran, placed third with 70 seats.

Talks on a coalition government and picking a prime minister have made little headway, raising concerns for Iraq's fragile security as insurgents try to exploit the political vacuum.

A union of State of Law and INA, the two major Shi'ite groups, has been hampered by deepening disputes over Maliki's insistence on a second term as premier, and speculation has increased about a possible tie-up between Maliki and Allawi.

SEPARATION OF RELIGION AND STATE

Sistani was influential in bringing Iraq's long-oppressed Shi'ites together for parliamentary elections in 2005 but is said to have been dismayed by the bloodshed that erupted between Shi'ites and once-dominated Sunnis following that vote.

He made clear during the election this year that he had no intention of becoming involved in politics and, in contrast to Shi'ite clerical leanings in neighbouring Iran, his teachings have always advocated separation of religion and state.

Kerbalai said the situation should be resolved by July 13, which he cited as the constitutional deadline for parliament to hold its next session and pick a speaker and president.

The president should then select a prime minister to form a government. The chances of that actually happening are slim.

"It is hoped that these blocs show enough flexibility, and make the state's interest their first priority, to resolve the political situation," Kerbalai said. "So far we have not seen such a thing."

"The insistence of some political parties on their demands, even if they are legitimate, while showing no flexibility .... will complicate the situation," he said. (Editing by Jim Loney and Samia Nakhoul)

Copyright © 2010 Reuters

http://thestar.com.m...ec=Worldupdates

[Traconesu02]

Thanks for the post k98nights

[Doc31]

Thanks for the post

[mythunter]

Sistani has been pushing for sometime as articles like this have been coming out saying this since the election. I wish the top leaders in Iraq would listen to him.

Thanks for the post.

[automag]

That is why I have always liked Sistani.....He has always preached separation of church and state and will only intervene if he has too to bring order and to hurry along the formation of the government.

His position is directly opposed to the Iranian model and has constantly flipped the mullahs in Iran off because of his position. IMO anything that will pizz the Iranians off is a really good thing as it keeps their theocracy limited to Iran. Plus the Iranian's are enemies of the United States and if Iraq were to mimic their theocracy stability in the region would do down like a man overboard. The Iranians have the largest population in the Middle East and by sheer numbers alone they threaten the Gulf states. Plus being that the Gulf States are primarily Sunni it makes them very nervous to see a compliant and Shiite controlled Iraq emerge. Nothing would be worse than a religious based government form up in Iraq and one that is a puppet to Tehran. It would lead to regional instability and eventually the US would be back over there fighting again because lets face it. It is about the oil.

Tehran is the largest supporters of the Palestinian resistance against Israel. They support Hezbolla in Lebanon. They support the Syrians by supporting resistance fighters hiding or using Syria as a base of operations against Israel. The friggin Iranians are the biggest troublemakers in the Middle east and being religious fanatics the silly SOB's are working hard to gain WMD's all in the name of God. They are trading partners to the North Koreans and the former Burmese fascist and in general they have a policy of doing anything they can to thwart American foreign policy and that means you and me.

To have these guys get Iraq to be their allies in a meaningful way would be disastrous and that Sistani is a Shiite Grand Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla is just maddening for them. He is not helping by maintaining his distance from politics. If Iraq becomes the prosperous nation we all want to see it become then that will eventually sound the death knell for the Iranian theocracy. They have become so fascist in the name of God that this week they even issued guidelines on how men can wear their hair. Seems like the brothers have taken to wearing certain hair styles that are much like what we used to wear here in the States in the 50's, 60's and 70's. You start getting that picky and I don't care how holier than thou you are you will lose control. It is inevitable they are going to fall and Iraq is the key. That doesn't include torture, murder, and repression the Iranian people suffer everyday.....Oh yeah...Always in the name of God!!!

The Grand Ayatollah Sistani is important to Iraq and he is important to you and I the investors. Let's hope and pray this man of faith can bring peace and order to the process because if anyone man can do so it would be him. He holds the cards really because the Shiites will follow him and his example. He is the Grand Ayatollah. Even Muqtada al-Sadr will have to bow to him. al-Hakim will follow him they both have no choice...He is the Grand Ayatollah Sistani. Even Maliki will have to bow to him and that right there is the bottom line.

[cris]

thanks automag...well said!!....

and thanks for the post k98.....ran out of plusses for the day, otherwise i would give you both one

[denbo420]

That is why I have always liked Sistani.....He has always preached separation of church and state and will only intervene if he has too to bring order and to hurry along the formation of the government.

His position is directly opposed to the Iranian model and has constantly flipped the mullahs in Iran off because of his position. IMO anything that will pizz the Iranians off is a really good thing as it keeps their theocracy limited to Iran. Plus the Iranian's are enemies of the United States and if Iraq were to mimic their theocracy stability in the region would do down like a man overboard. The Iranians have the largest population in the Middle East and by sheer numbers alone they threaten the Gulf states. Plus being that the Gulf States are primarily Sunni it makes them very nervous to see a compliant and Shiite controlled Iraq emerge. Nothing would be worse than a religious based government form up in Iraq and one that is a puppet to Tehran. It would lead to regional instability and eventually the US would be back over there fighting again because lets face it. It is about the oil.

Tehran is the largest supporters of the Palestinian resistance against Israel. They support Hezbolla in Lebanon. They support the Syrians by supporting resistance fighters hiding or using Syria as a base of operations against Israel. The friggin Iranians are the biggest troublemakers in the Middle east and being religious fanatics the silly SOB's are working hard to gain WMD's all in the name of God. They are trading partners to the North Koreans and the former Burmese fascist and in general they have a policy of doing anything they can to thwart American foreign policy and that means you and me.

To have these guys get Iraq to be their allies in a meaningful way would be disastrous and that Sistani is a Shiite Grand Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla is just maddening for them. He is not helping by maintaining his distance from politics. If Iraq becomes the prosperous nation we all want to see it become then that will eventually sound the death knell for the Iranian theocracy. They have become so fascist in the name of God that this week they even issued guidelines on how men can wear their hair. Seems like the brothers have taken to wearing certain hair styles that are much like what we used to wear here in the States in the 50's, 60's and 70's. You start getting that picky and I don't care how holier than thou you are you will lose control. It is inevitable they are going to fall and Iraq is the key. That doesn't include torture, murder, and repression the Iranian people suffer everyday.....Oh yeah...Always in the name of God!!!

The Grand Ayatollah Sistani is important to Iraq and he is important to you and I the investors. Let's hope and pray this man of faith can bring peace and order to the process because if anyone man can do so it would be him. He holds the cards really because the Shiites will follow him and his example. He is the Grand Ayatollah. Even Muqtada al-Sadr will have to bow to him. al-Hakim will follow him they both have no choice...He is the Grand Ayatollah Sistani. Even Maliki will have to bow to him and that right there is the bottom line.

great post but I wanted to add that the majority of people in Iran hate their leaders, lets not forget the riots, torture, and murders after Allinmanutjob stole the vote. also nobody in the GCC really likes Iran they just tolorate.................. for now

[Bobbydee]

I hope Sastini steps in soon and takes care of business. Doesn't look like anyone else can, not even Biden. God Bless Semper Fi