Major cleric backs Ayatollah Sistani`s stands on Iraq
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Gorgan, Golestan pro., April 9, IRNA -- Representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Golestan Province, Ayatollah Seyed Kazem Nour-Mofidi here on Friday asked the Iraqi nation to observe patience and heed Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani`s stands in dealing with the current situation. "Iran cannot abandon Iraq with its problems, since a number of our infallible Imams (PBUT) rest there eternally," added the ayatollah. Ayatollah Nour-Mofidi who is the Friday prayer leader of Gorgan, made the comment in the second sermon of this week`s Friday prayer. He added, "Iran and Iraq share lots of commonalities, which necessitates broader interactions and cooperation between the two nations and governments." Referring to the high sensitivity of the current situation, the ayatollah said, "(Grand) Ayatollah (Seyed Ali) Sistani`s stands on the prevailing developments, based on the need to observe patience and refrain from creating tension, are quite logical and rational." Ayatollah Nour-Mofidi further asked the Iraqi nation to heed Ayatollah Sistani`s opinions completely. The Gorgan Friday prayer leader emphasized, "The Iraqi nation need to push forth its righteous and rational demands patiently and firmly." He said the main cause for the recent Iraqi unrest was "the presence and conduct of the US occupiers," adding, "The Americans are responsible for any negative aftermath of their occupation in Iraq, so long as they keep occupying that country." A six-day offensive that killed more than 300 Iraqis has failed to quell a determined opposition using hit-and-run tactics with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades, according to the coalition officers. Armed militants seized control Friday of the highway linking Fallujah with the mostly Sunni town of Abu Gharib to the east. Fighting also raged Friday in the Shi`a holy city of Karbala, south of the capital, with health officials reporting three Sadr loyalists and an Iranian woman killed. The United States rushed help for beleaguered Bulgarian troops in Karbala, who were facing an ultimatum from the Sadr militia to quit the city ahead of a major religious mourning occasion scheduled this weekend. US officials have already acknowledged that the holy Shiite city of Najaf further south, where Sadr has reportedly taken refuge, has slipped from the control of occupation forces. The southern city of Nasiriyah was under the control of Iraqi police after Italian troops agreed to pull back in the wake of deadly clashes with Shi`a militiamen Tuesday that claimed 15 lives. Iraqi police also patrolled Basra with British forces confined to their base as part of a deal struck with Sadr`s men to halt the violence. But in the capital`s Shi`a neighborhood of Sadr City, US forces evacuated police stations and the town hall after five days of clashes with radical militiamen. Just 40 percent of Americans approve of the way Bush is handling Iraq, according to a recent US poll released this week, a new low and down from 59 percent in January. NA/214 End
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