Ayatollah may issue 'fatwa' delegitimizing Iraqi Government

[La_Serpiente]

Iraqi protesters demand election as ayatollah threatens fatwa

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Basra yesterday to demand a general election, as an aide to Iraq's most senior Shia cleric warned that he may issue a fatwa against the proposed new government.

The demonstration in the southern Iraqi city was a rare show of strength in support of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's call for direct elections to choose a new government, and comes as a blow to Washington's plans for a smooth handover of power.

Last night one of the cleric's aides warned that if the US administrator in Baghdad, Paul Bremer, does not accept his demand, Ayatollah Sistani may issue a ruling telling Iraq's Shia majority not to accept the new government, which is due to take power by July.

"If Bremer rejects Ayatollah Sistani's opinion, he would issue a fatwa depriving the US-appointed council of its legitimacy," Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Mohri told Abu Dhabi television. "After this, the Iraqi people will not obey this council. This US plan is not in line with Sistani's views."

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Iraqi protesters demand election as ayatollah threatens fatwa

[mike1963]

1. Let me see if I have this right: Bush wants Iraq to be a democracy, but

free elections can't be a part of that system. Sounds familiar.
:eyes:

[Racenut20]

2. Said it from the beginning

Going to wind up with a Shia fundamentalist government. These are the same folks who Poppy urged to overthrow the government, then stood by and watched them be massacred. Hussien used the prisoners of war the coalition released by giving them the choice of going south to put down the revolution or be executed along with their families. It was an easy choice.