Al-Sistani Gives Tacit Ok to New Leadership

Summary

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BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's most influential Shiite figure gave tacit endorsement to the U.N.-appointed government Thursday, breaking nearly three months of silence over the country's political future. But the supreme religious leader in neighboring Iran dubbed the body a "lackey" of America.

The opposing statements coincided with an eighth straight day of fighting in the holy Shiite city of Kufa between U.S. soldiers and militiamen loyal to radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. At least six Iraqis were killed and 11 injured, hospital and militia officials said. Three U.S. soldiers were wounded.

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Al-Sistani Gives Tacit Ok to New Leadership

In a religious edict, or fatwa, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani expressed hope for the interim government of Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, himself a Shiite. But al-Sistani said the leadership must secure full sovereignty for Iraq, restor...

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