Iran Press/ Middle East: Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali al-Sistani's statement which was publicly announced in Friday prayer sermons by his representative Seyyed Ahmad al-Saffi in the city of Karbala, in southern Iraq, stressed the need for calm, and the fact that peaceful protesters should not be attacked.
The Grand Ayatollah, a source of emulation, called on the Iraqi parliament to review its options about the current government.
He warned about the possibility of a return to dictatorship in Iraq, remarking that the enemies are planning plots to destroy the country and to stoke internal conflicts.
"Wasting time imposes a heavy cost on the country, and the parliament must protect Iraqis' blood. Our work is to offer advice and guidance and the Iraqi people will decide and choose the best option," Ayatollah Sistani stressed in his statement.
The Grand Ayatollah demanded that the parliament adopt a set of polling rules to hold a free and fair election.
In response to this call for a change of leadership by Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali al-Sistani, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi said he would present his resignation to parliament so lawmakers could choose a new government, according to a statement from his office. The decision was made after weeks of anti-government protests in Iraq.
The new round of popular demonstrations in Iraq in a peaceful manner began as of October 25, in various cities, including Baghdad the capital, Karbala, Basra, Najaf and other cities in protest at corruption and the poor state of the economy.
214/211/215
Read More:
Iraqi Prime Minister to resign
Iraq PM ready to step down
Demands for reforms in new peaceful protests: Iraq
Iraqi Governor: Enemies are trying to subvert peaceful protests in Karbala
