August 20, 2010Shiite cleric: Iraqis growing impatient with political impasse
Karbala, Iraq - An influential Iraqi Shiite cleric warned Friday that the country's prolonged political stalemate could prompt suffering people to turn violent.
"We warn of the dangerous implications and dire consequences in all fields if there is no sign of a breakthrough or a glimmer of hope to form a new government soon," Abdel-Mahdi al-Karbalaei told thousands of people during the traditional Friday sermon.
Al-Karbalaei, a confidant of the revered religious leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, also warned about possible violent reactions by Iraqis "who have endured suffering." It is not clear "until when they will be patient," he said.
Prolonged power cuts - of up to 20 hours in some areas - have also tested the patience of many amid hot summer temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Violent demonstrations against energy shortages left two people dead and dozens injured earlier this summer.
"This warning is directed at all political blocs, not one bloc in particular, because all are jointly responsible for this challenge," the cleric said.
More than five months have passed since Iraqis went to the polls, but talks between the main political parties remain in disarray amid mutual accusations of sectarianism and disagreement over who should head the new government.
No group won an outright majority in the March 7 election and all attempts to form a ruling coalition have failed. The new parliament has since held only one session, which lasted just 20 minutes.
"We warn of the dangerous implications and dire consequences in all fields if there is no sign of a breakthrough or a glimmer of hope to form a new government soon," Abdel-Mahdi al-Karbalaei told thousands of people during the traditional Friday sermon.
Al-Karbalaei, a confidant of the revered religious leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, also warned about possible violent reactions by Iraqis "who have endured suffering." It is not clear "until when they will be patient," he said.
Prolonged power cuts - of up to 20 hours in some areas - have also tested the patience of many amid hot summer temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celsius.
Violent demonstrations against energy shortages left two people dead and dozens injured earlier this summer.
"This warning is directed at all political blocs, not one bloc in particular, because all are jointly responsible for this challenge," the cleric said.
More than five months have passed since Iraqis went to the polls, but talks between the main political parties remain in disarray amid mutual accusations of sectarianism and disagreement over who should head the new government.
No group won an outright majority in the March 7 election and all attempts to form a ruling coalition have failed. The new parliament has since held only one session, which lasted just 20 minutes.
