Iraq crisis: Top Shia cleric urges quick PM appointment
Al-Huriya News Agency - Iraq's most influential Shia cleric has called for a prime minister to be appointed before Tuesday in a bid to defuse the country's political crisis. Grand Ayatollah Sistani said that key positions should be agreed before the new parliament meets on Tuesday.
Pressure has been building both inside and outside Iraq for a national unity government but political blocs have been unable to reach a deal. Large parts of Iraq were seized by Sunni militants earlier this month.
Mr Sistani, who was born in Iran, relayed the message to his followers through a Friday sermon delivered by a spokesman. He called for political parties, including the State of Law Coalition of current prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki, to also appoint a new speaker and president for the country.
"What is required of the political blocs is to agree on the three presidencies within the remaining days to this date," the sermon said.
