Nouri Maliki lashed out at Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani for his recent stance against his government. In his remarks that were aired by al-Babeliya TV on Saturday, April 5th, Maliki used strong remarks against Sheikh Abdol Mehdi Karbalaei, Mr. Sistani’s representative and went as far as referring to Mr. Sistani as the ‘so-called source of emulation’.
“The so-called source of emulation has called for change and has gotten himself involved in the elections,” Maliki said.
“Everyone has position against this coalition,” Maliki said in an urgent meeting with the senior officials of his coalition. “We have to advance forward against this confrontation to the very end, and place all our assets in this war of destiny, he added.
Maliki emphasized one of the most important priorities after victory in the April 30th elections is to not allow clerics get involved in politics.
Al-Babeliya TV covered Maliki’s remarks and reiterated that Mr. Sistani’s representative had on Friday called on people in Karbala to set those aside that have brought no good for Iraq. He also said not participating in the elections is wrong because it allows others to determine the country’s future.