Baghdad (AsiaNews) – A small Shiite delegation from the Provisional Governing Council (PGC) traveled to Najaf yesterday to meet with Ayatollah Al-Sistani. This what a source very near to Muaffak Al-Rabii, a PGC Shiite member, told AsiaNews.  

Yesterday's violent incidents have PGC members worried. But what they are most concerned about is the complicity of some police stations had in the Shiite revolts.  

Police had voluntarily turned in their own weapons to Muqtada Al-Sadr supporters. "There are many external forces who are fish in troubled waters,"  the same source told AsiaNews.  

Some PGC Shiite moderates hope that Ayatollah Al-Sistani will take a considerable step back from advocating the revolts instigated by the Al-Mahdi Army of fundamentalist Imam Muqtada Al-Sadr. The two Shiite leaders are not on good terms. No Shiite, however, would argue against any decision coming from Ayatollah Al-Sistani, Iraq's only Marja'a (infallible Shiite spiritual leader). The PGC hopes to gain religious support from Al-Sistani without necessary declaring Jihad.

Imam Muqtada al-Sadr follows mandates from Shiite Marja'a Kazem Al-Haiiri, who reisides in the Iranian city of Qom. Many Middle East analysts believe that Imam Al-Haiiri is the bridge of union between Muqtada Al-Sadr and the Iranian government.  

Any intervention by  Ayatollah Al-Sistani to restore internal order would likely spell a huge advantage for the Shiite community. Al-Sistani has always asked the PGC to introduce the Shariah (Islamic law) into the state's constitution and legal codes. (PB)

• iraq
• coalition
• shiites
• fundamentalism
• war
• al-sistani