Shiite Cleric calls on Iraq’s PM to settle citizens problems quickly

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: The Leader of the Shiite Sadrist Trend, Young Cleric, Muqtada al-Sadr, has called on Monday on Iraq’s Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki, to take urgent measures to settle the problems of the Iraqi citizens.   “Everybody must know that most of the decisions and orders can’t be implemented, unless they are approved by PM Maliki; otherwise he should propose solutions for the current popular problems,” Sadr said in a statement he addressed to PM Maliki.    “I am confident that if those solutions stem from national and unpoliticised demands, nobody can reject them,” Sadr said.  “What is happening in Iraq  is part of the Prime Minister’s basic responsibility, which he can’t ignore, in front of God Almighty and the people,” he added.   Prime Minister Maliki had set-up on Sunday a 100-day period, after which the activity of the government and ministers would be defined.   The Iraqi capital of Baghdad had witnessed on Friday, Feb. 25th, 2011, broad mass demonstrations in central Baghdad’s al-Tahrir (Liberation) Square, during which 7 policemen and 2 demonstrators were injured, according to security reports.   Other Iraqi cities had also witnessed similar demonstrations, during which clashes took place between the demonstrators and the security forces, causing several injuries among the demonstrators and the security men.   Meanwhile, the Shiite Religious Authority in the holy city of Najaf had issued a statement, signed by Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, calling on the Iraqi officials to strive urgently to achieve the legitimate demands of the people.   The said Authority warned the official authorities against “insisting to continue its current policy in steering the State’s administration, thing that can lead to the postponement of taking urgent radical decisions to settle the problems of the citizens.”   Najaf, the center of the Province carrying the same name,. is 160 kms to the south of Baghdad.   SKH (TF)/SR 782