Shiite cleric criticizes government officials

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Shiite cleric Sheikh Mohammed al-Yaaqubi criticized government figures’ disqualification and competition over official posts, calling on the Iraqi government to ignore partisan motives and to seek experienced and qualified people. In a release issued by Yaaqubi’s office and received by IraqiNews.com, he said that constructing Iraq , facing challenges and providing services to people “require the participation of all qualified people and ignoring narrow-sighted partisan tendencies”. He deplored the absence of qualified people. “The clerics sacrificed their reputation by supporting the political process and encouraging people,” he added. “Serving people and good performance are the real parameter of any official’s success,” he noted, demanding politicians to deliver on their promises to the people into action. MH (P)/AmR 1