Shiite Cleric Appeals to Iraq's Politicians to Allow Peaceful Power Transition
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric appealed to politicians not to be "an obstacle" in the process of transition as Iraq nears a deadline to select its next prime minister.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said in comments delivered by his spokesman on Friday that the next government must "command broad acceptance" from the entire political spectrum.
The spokesman, Ahmed al-Safi, quotes Ayatollah Sistani as saying that "no one should make himself an obstacle in achieving national consensus," AP reported.
The remarks are seen as another appeal by al-Sistani to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step down.
Iraq's newly-elected president, Fouad Massoum, is required to select a candidate for the post of premier from the largest political bloc by next Friday.
