The influential top Shiite cleric yesterday met the PM-designate Maliki. Armed groups, led by Shiite political movements, are behind increased sectarian violence in the country.
Najaf (AsiaNews/Agencies) The Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the highest-ranking Iraqi Shiite cleric, has called on the future government to dismantle the country's armed militias. Many Iraqis blame these groups for an escalation of violence following the attack on the Samarra shrine two months ago; most armed groups are made up of and led by Shiite political movements.
The Grand Ayatollah's statement came in a communiqué issued yesterday after a meeting in Najaf with the Shiite PM-designate Jawad al-Maliki. Sistani said in his statement: "Only the government should have weapons, and its forces should have a sound foundation and be loyal to the nation - not to individual political parties." The religious leader, among other things, augured that the "the new government will be composed of competent and honest elements who put the national interest above their personal, party or sectarian interests".
Al-Maliki has vowed to take action against the armed groups in Iraq. However, he has not said whether he intends to incorporate them in Iraq's security forces, or try to have them disbanded.
In the meeting in Najaf, Ayatollah Sistani said one of the new government's tasks was "to put an end to criminal acts" lile shootings, bombs and kidnappings, to fight "against corruption" and to bring back electricity and drinking water.
Appointed by the president Jalal Talabani on 22 April, al-Maliki has 30 days to form a government. However it looks as if the Shiite leader does not want to wait that long. After meeting Sistani, he said he wanted to present his new government within a week. This will consist of a great coalition between Shiites, Kurds and Sunnis to confront sectarian divisions and hostilities in the country.