Shiite leader requires transparency in Iraq-U.S. pact signing

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Shiite cleric Sayyed Abdelaziz al-Hakim on Saturday called for transparency when signing any agreements provided that they would not violate the Iraqi constitution, referring to the proposed Iraq-U.S. long-term security agreement. “Al-Hakim, during a meeting with U.S. ambassador in Baghdad Ryan Crocker, stressed that transparency and equality are required in any agreement,” according to a release issued by Hakim’s Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) as received by IraqiNews.com. “This should be in the interest of the two countries, and to preserve the unity of Iraq, in addition to avoid violating the Iraqi constitution,” read the release. Hakim is also the head of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) bloc that occupies 83 out of 275 seats in Iraq’s Council of Representatives (parliament). MH (P)/AmR 1