Ayatollah Sistani Rejects Agreeing with Formation of Basra Independent Region

(FNA)- Iraq-based Muslim religious leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani categorically rejected the news reports on his agreement with the formation of an independent Basra region.

Ayatollah Sistani's rejection came after former Iraqi MP Wael Abdel Latif had claimed that he had a letter obtained from Ayatollah Sistani's office showing the grand ayatollah's agreement with the creation of an independent region in Basra.

Ayatollah Sistani's office in a statement on Tuesday announced that he has never agreed with setting up independent regions, including Basra region, in Iraq and all the news in this regard are fabricated.

In October, Ayatollah Sistani met with the country's prime minister in a sign of support for his newly-formed government and its struggle against the ISIL terrorist group.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi met Ayatollah Sistani at Ayatollah Sistani's residence in Najaf province.

Al-Sistani lives in the Shiite holy city of Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) South of Baghdad.