The Ayatollah Supports No One

31 May 2010 | 19:52 Code : 7700 Middle East.

This despite the fact that his house is now the most ‘in’ place for the Iraqi politicians these days. By Ali Musavi Khalkhali.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani’s modest house in Najaf is now the most popular rendezvous for Iraqi politicians—who are trying to break the political stalemate the country has been suffering since parliamentary elections in March 2010. The Ayatollah, however, has not moved one inch toward any of the frequenters to his household. Three days ago, Ayad Allawi, whose Iraqiyah list won the most seats in the election, arranged a meeting with Iraq’s highest religious leader. The Ayatollah also hosted the incumbent Prime Minister –and claimant of the post for another term- Nouri Maliki. While Allawi is a secular Shiite with a dominantly Sunni list, Maliki is a religious Shiite whose efforts during recent years have concentrated on bridging the gap between Sunnis and Shiites.

After leaving Ayatollah Sistani’s house, Ayad Allawi asserted that Iraq’s religious and spiritual leader lends support to no specific politician or party in this political struggle. Nuri Maliki, on the other hand, emphasized that he intends to keep his seat when facing the press (after his meeting with Ayatollah Sistani).

In that ensuing press conference, Nuri Maliki reiterated his demand that he still be the single candidate for premiership in Iraq’s next administration. Maliki’s Rule of Law coalition is continuing negotiations with the Hakim-Sadr led National Alliance to agree on a single candidate for the position, and while several weeks have passed since so-called ‘unity’ between these two powerful blocs, their marriage of convenience has not yet given birth to a new cabinet.

After his meeting with Grand Ayatollah Sistani, Nuri Maliki –in his typical uncompromising tone- reiterated that the Ayatollah has not supported Allawi’s Iraqiyah list. “He does not interfere in such issues,” Maliki added.

Since his list won the largest number of seats in parliament, Ayad Allawi has spent most of his time negotiating with Arab leaders of the region, a move that has bought him pointblank criticism from Maliki. Claiming that he is ready to meet representatives of the Iraqiyah list, Maliki asserted that decisions about Iraq’s next administration should be made in Baghdad, not in the capital cities of other countries. He has also asked other countries to respect the Iraqis’ efforts to form the next government.