Shiites Turn to Sistani
This looks like Jaafari’s people have settled on this as a face-saving exercise. Let al-Sistani decide, and thus give Jaafari some cover.
Iraq Blast Kills 10; More Political Delays
Sunni and Kurdish officials had suggested parliament convene Wednesday to decide al-Jaafari’s fate. But representatives of the seven factions in the Shiite alliance met Thursday and decided to delay next week’s session until all Iraqi parties agree on nominees for other posts, such as president and speaker of parliament, prominent Shiite politician Khalid al-Attiyah said.Al-Attiyah said the deadlock had become “very complicated” and al-Jaafari’s supporters within the alliance want to ask the advice of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, the country’s most respected Shiite cleric, before deciding their next move.
Al-Attiyah said other Shiite politicians who are not affiliated with the major Shiite parties also have agreed to seek al-Sistani’s opinion.
Turning to al-Sistani shows the inability of the Shiite alliance to resolve the standoff, with many Shiite politicians fearing that a move to force out al-Jaafari would splinter their alliance.
Clenched fist salute: Rick Moran
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