lennart
22-03-04, 10:44
Iraq's Sistani warns UN not to back constitution
22.03.2004 3.26 pm
BAGHDAD - The United Nations must not endorse Iraq's US-backed interim constitution because it could lead to the break-up of the occupied country, Iraq's most influential Shi'ite Muslim cleric said.
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said he will boycott a UN team expected to visit Iraq shortly to help form an interim government unless the world body says it will not back the interim constitution.
Sistani outlined his position in a letter sent last week to Lakhdar Brahimi, an adviser to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. A transcript of the letter was made available to Reuters on Monday.
- REUTERS
22.03.2004 3.26 pm
BAGHDAD - The United Nations must not endorse Iraq's US-backed interim constitution because it could lead to the break-up of the occupied country, Iraq's most influential Shi'ite Muslim cleric said.
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said he will boycott a UN team expected to visit Iraq shortly to help form an interim government unless the world body says it will not back the interim constitution.
Sistani outlined his position in a letter sent last week to Lakhdar Brahimi, an adviser to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. A transcript of the letter was made available to Reuters on Monday.
- REUTERS