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Ayat Sistani appeals for calm after aides martyred

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY NAJAF, Iraq: Ayatullah Sayyed Ali As-Sistani has appealed all Iraqis to remain peaceful after two of his aides have been martyred in separate attacks apparently aimed at inflaming sectarian conflict.

A representative of Ayatullah Sistani said on Thursday unknown gunmen martyred cleric Mahmoud Al-Madaen along with his son and four bodyguards on Wednesday as they left night prayers. Madaen was Ayatullah Sistani's representative in the ancient town of Salman Pak south of Baghdad.

Another aide, Halim al-Mohaqeq, a cleric working in Ayatullah Sistani's office in Holy Najaf, was also found dead on Wednesday.

“Sheikh Halim was found drowned in his own blood. Investigations are under way,” leading Sistani representative Hamed Al-Khafaf said.

Ayatullah Sistani has urged Iraqis to refrain from revenge attacks.

Iraq is making preparations for democratic elections on Jan 30.

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