The Ayatollah Of Iraq doesn't like the US version of the Iraq constitution [View All]

Shiites Refuse to Sign Iraq Constitution

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Shiite leaders refused to sign an interim constitution Friday after their top cleric rejected parts of the charter at the last minute, delaying a signing ceremony in a dispute that marred a milestone in U.S. plans to hand over sovereignty to the Iraqis.


The maneuver by five Shiite members of the Iraqi Governing Council broke the unity that the body showed earlier this week when it overcame deep differences to agree unanimously on a draft of the charter.


It also highlighted the power that Shiite Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani wields in the political process. The 75-year-old cleric, who holds considerable influence over Iraq (news - web sites)'s Shiite majority, has already twice derailed U.S. plans for transferring power.


Friday's signing ceremony was put on hold as council members met in an attempt to resolve the Shiite objections. Hours after the ceremony's scheduled time, it had still not begun and there was no word on when it would take place.

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