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Iraqi cleric demands cease-fire in Lebanon
49 minutes ago
Iraq's top Shiite cleric Sunday demanded an immediate cease-fire in Lebanon, warning the Muslim world will "not forgive" nations that stand in the way of stopping the fighting.
Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued the call following the Israeli airstrike that killed at least 56 Lebanese, mostly women and children, in the village of Qana. It was the deadliest attack in nearly three weeks of fighting.
"Islamic nations will not forgive the entities that hinder a cease-fire," al-Sistani said, in a clear reference to the United States.
"It is not possible to stand helpless in front of this Israeli aggression on Lebanon," he added. "If an immediate cease-fire in this Israeli aggression is not imposed, dire consequences will befall the region."
Outrage over the Qana deaths spread beyond the Shiite community.
President Jalal Talabani, a Sunni Kurd, expressed his "extreme anger and sorrow" over the "crime" of Qana.
"We reiterate our solidarity with the Lebanese people in their ordeal and call for an immediate halt for the fighting," Talabani said in a statement.
Earlier Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Barham Saleh, also a Sunni Kurd, said the events in Lebanon will undoubtedly impact Iraq and the region.
"Any instability in the region affects it as a whole," he told reporters.
"From a humanitarian standpoint, as we follow what is going on there we can't but sympathize with the Lebanese people and call for stopping these military actions and targeting of civilians," he said.
During his recent visit to Washington, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, came under harsh criticism from U.S. lawmakers for condemning Israel's offensive in Lebanon while failing to denounce Hezbollah for its attacks that provoked Israel's response.
Several Democrats boycotted his speech to Congress on Wednesday and Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean called the Iraqi leader an "anti-Semite."
But anger over the Israeli offensive has united Shiites and Sunnis at a time of sectarian divisions here.
Al-Sistani's call is likely to heighten Iraqi public anger at the United States and create political problems for the U.S.-backed Iraqi government, which depends on the Americans for its security and survival.
Al-Sistani, who also has a large following among Lebanon's Shiites, said "words are unable to condemn this crime that was carried out by those who got rid of all humanitarian values."
"The size of the catastrophe in Lebanon resulting from the continuation of the Israeli aggression has reached a point that cannot tolerate more patience and we cannot stand idle toward it," al-Sistani said.
He said it was time for the international community to "impose an immediate cease-fire and put an end to this horrific catastrophe."
Kathianne said:Not a joke and a lesson that needs to be learned very quickly. At least as far as Islam goes.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060730/ap_on_re_mi_ea/mideast_fighting_sistani
