Religious cleric urges election winners to bury the hatchet

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: Shiite Cleric Basheer al-Najafi on Monday called on the winners in the provincial council elections to overcome political and partisan differences and to work together in the interest of the Iraqi people. “They should assume many responsibilities, the most important of which is maintaining fixed religious principles and working hard to serve the people,” according to a statement released by Najaf’s office and received by IraqiNews.com news agency. The cleric blamed those responsible for updating voters’ register for depriving a large number of people throughout the country from casting ballots. Najafi was unable to vote in the provincial elections, which took place on Saturday (Jan. 31) due to the security measures implemented in the province, according to a source from his office. The holy Shiite city of Najaf lies 180 km south of the Iraqi capital Baghdad. SS (P)/SR 1