Iraq leaders deny Iranian influence

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Husseini As-Seestani and chairman Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammed Baqir Al-Hakim have denied Iranian influence in their movements.

Demanding the US-led occupation forces to quit the holy land of Iraq, the two leaders called for the shape of a multiethnic broad-based Iraqi government.

In a written reply to a media man’s questions, Ayatullah As-Seestani said: “We don't have any contact with any foreign side when its comes to Iraqi affairs… All governments should respect Iraq's sovereignty, the will of the Iraqi people and not interfere in their affairs.”

Ayatullah Al-Hakim whose SCIRI’s Baghdad offices have been raided several times in recent days by US forces and many of its members were detained, said in the holy city of Najaf which houses the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali (AS): “Our demand is that a government be formed by the Iraqis and work to end the occupation by peaceful means.”

Any Iraqi government should “respect the rituals and values of Islam as well as the beliefs of followers of other religions,” he said.

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