Ayat Sistani declares accord to ban arms in shrines vicinity

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Ayatullah Ali As-Sistani has said lack of a central authority in Iraq caused last week's deadly clashes in the holy city of Karbala that is home to the holy mausoleums of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (as) and his brother Al-Abbas (as).

“Armed conflict in the holy city of Karbala between some residents and armed groups took place because of the absence of central authority in an effective manner,” said a statement issued Monday by the Ayatullah. The troubles were also the result of “the large numbers of arms in the hands of subversive elements.”

According to the statement Ayatullah As-Sistani had repeatedly emphasized in meetings with members of the Iraqi governing council and other officials for the need to take late and effective measures to confiscate illegal arms and back the Iraqi police with competent elements and necessary equipment.

“But unfortunately, they did not adopt, or they were not allowed to adopt any necessary measures,” he added.

Ayatullah As-Sistani said he sent one of his aides Hussein Al-Shahrastani to exert all efforts to resolve the conflict. The aide has reached an agreement for total disarmament in the vicinity of the holy shrines... and for the creation of a committee to implement that measure.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon's top general told some 1,500 US Marines that American soldiers would probably be needed in Iraq throughout the next year.

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Iran involved in Ayat Al-Hakim's martyrdom, Khatami receives file

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Chairman Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) Sayyed Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim has delivered to the Iranian president Muhammad Khatami a file which accuses Iranian authorities of the martyrdom of his brother Ayatullah Sayyed Muhammad Baqer Al-Hakim with the car bombing in the holy city of Najaf, well-informed Iraqi sources confirmed.

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