Ayat Sistani warns on UN resolution; Iraqis support

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: After Iraq's Ayatullah Ali As-Sistani offered caution Monday that any UN resolution on Iraq that mentions an interim constitution endorsing autonomy for Kurds would have “dangerous consequences,” thousands in Baghdad rallied in his support.

A statement from Ayatullah Sistani's office said: “This law (constitution) was created by an unelected council in the shadow of occupation and under its direct impact.”

“This matter is illegal and is rejected by most of the Iraqi people. Therefore, any attempt to bestow legitimacy on this law (constitution) by mentioning it in the international resolution ... will have dangerous consequences.”

Measures adopted in the interim constitution are not mentioned in the latest drafts of the UN resolution because of long-standing objections from Ayatullah Sistani.

Monday's statement from the cleric urged the 15-member Security Council to take Ayatullah Sistani's objections on board.

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