Top Iraqi Religious Authority Urges Cooperation with Security Forces, Cabinet Formation away from Foreign Interference

By Staff

Top Iraq leader Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Sistani urged selecting a Prime Minister and the formation of the cabinet away from foreign interference.

Sayyed Sistani’s remarks came during the Friday’s sermon which was delivered by his representative Sheikh Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalaei.

Calling for real reforms, Sayyed Ali Sistani stated that the country shouldn’t be dragged to violence.

The sermon reflected Sayyed Sistani’s hopes about selecting the new Prime Minister and the cabinet members away from foreign interference.

Sayyed Sistani harbored hopes that the selection take place within the constitutional deadline and with respect to the people's expectations.

He further warned that those making conspiracies against Iraq and seeking to make achievements that harm the Iraqis' demands.

Sayyed Sistani hailed the role of tribesmen in preserving civil peace and preventing chaos, pointing out that “supporting and encouraging the security forces to play their role in preserving security is everybody's duty.”

He also called on all those harmed by the acts of vandalism to pursue their rights through law.

Sayyed Sistani condemned again the previous bloodshed and vandalism against private and public properties that took place in course of the ongoing protests across the nation.

Things must turn to normal situation with the return of security forces to their responsibilities, he stressed.

Reiterating that protesters mustn't allow vandals to infiltrate among them, Sayyed Sistani stated that “preserving peacefulness of protests is very important and everybody's responsibility.”

The popular protests represent an effective way to pressure for reforms, the sermon noted, but “the main condition is not to turn violent.”