Iraqi cleric scolds security forces after protesters die in new tensions
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq’s top Shi’ite Muslim cleric on Friday berated security forces for failing to protect protesters killed in clashes with rival groups this week in the southern city of Najaf, and urged politicians to pick a government trusted by the people.
The violence in the holy city of Najaf, where Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani is based, killed eight anti-government demonstrators after followers of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr stormed their sit-in protest.
The incident laid bare new tensions on the street in Iraq, where nearly 500 people have been killed in months of unrest.
The most recent events have pitted young anti-government protesters against many of Sadr’s followers, known as blue hats for the caps they wear.
The blue hats turned on protesters in several incidents after Sadr entered a deal with Iran-backed political blocs last week to bring in new Prime Miniser-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi - a move the protesters reject.
Sistani, in remarks delivered by his representative during his weekly Friday sermon in the holy city of Kerbala, condemned the violence in Najaf and blamed security forces for failing to stop it.
“It is the security forces that must take responsibility to keep the peace, protect the protest squares and peaceful demonstrators and identify attackers and rabble rousers,” the representative said.
“There is no excuse for shirking that duty.”
Sistani holds great influence over public opinion among Iraq’s Shi’ite majority. He avoids commenting on politics except during crises. His withdrawal of support for the government of Adel Abdul Mahdi in November sealed the outgoing premier’s fate.
Sistani urged that the new government which Allawi will form be representative of the Iraqi people and said it must have their full trust.
“It must be capable of calming the situation and take steps towards early elections free of the influence of money, weapons and foreign interference,” he said.