Statements of Najaf Ayaat on new govt

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: Ayaat in the holy city of Najaf while saying that the interim government of Iraq does not represent in an acceptable manner all segments of Iraqi society have expressed hopes that it will enjoy full sovereignty.

Ayatullah Sayyid Ali Al-Husseini As-Sistani on Thursday urged the new interim government to lobby the UN Security Council for full sovereignty to obliterate “all traces” of the US-run occupation.

In a statement released by his office here, Ayatullah As-Sistani did say that the new government lacks the “legitimacy of elections” and does not represent “in an acceptable manner all segments of Iraqi society and political forces.”

“Nevertheless, it is hoped that this government will prove its efficiency and integrity and show resolve to carry out the enormous tasks that rest on its shoulders.”

Ayatullah As-Sistani listed four key tasks: restoring security, providing basic services for all, a new UN resolution granting Iraq full sovereignty and free and fair elections in the new year.

The statement said: “The new government should get a clear resolution from the UN Security Council restoring sovereignty to Iraqis — a full and complete sovereignty in all its political, economic, military and security forms and endeavor to erase all traces of the occupation.”

Representative of the office of Ayatullah Sayyid Muhammad Saeed Al-Hakim, Sayyid Muhammad Hussein Al-Hakim said we hope this new government would enjoy full sovereignty, and that this would be first step towards elections that would express Iraqis’ will. The office said important thing is sovereignty and conditions of its transfer and we hope sovereignty would be handed over completely on June 30.

Ali An-Najafi, a representative of Ayatullah Sheikh Bashir An-Najafi’s office expressed his hope that the new government would put Iraq on the right path for peace, stability and halt of bloodshed.

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