Sistani stresses Iraq’s sovereignty in security pact

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: The higher Shiite clergy, represented by Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani, on Wednesday stressed that the Iraqi-U.S. long-term proposed security pact should not damage Iraq’s sovereignty, according to a release issued by Sistani’s office. “Ayatollah Sistani stresses not to touch Iraq’s sovereignty, and is closely following up developments until the pact’s final draft becomes clear,” said the release that was received by IraqiNews.com. The release was issued after a visit that was made by Sheikh Khalid al-Attiya, the Iraqi parliament’s first deputy speaker, and Ali al-Adeeb, a senior member of the Unified Iraqi Alliance (UIA) Shiite parliamentary bloc, to Sistani. MH (P)/SR 1