Mottaki says came to Iraq to express solidarity over Hakim’s death

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki on Saturday said that he came to Iraq to express solidarity with its people and to pass on condolences for the death of Shiite leader Abdulaziz al-Hakim. On Wednesday (Aug. 26), the head of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC), Abdulaziz al-Hakim, passed away after physicians failed to treat a recent serious deterioration in his health in a hospital in Tehran. Iraq has announced a three-day mourning for the death of the leading Shiite politician. Hakim is the leader of the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), which comprises major Shiite parties. The bloc is the largest in the Iraqi parliament after it won the 2005 elections with 128 out of a total 275 seats. He also spearheaded the SIIC after the assassination of his brother Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim in August 2003. “We came to Iraq to express solidarity with the Iraqi people, to pass on condolences and to condemn the bombings,” Mottaki said during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Hoshyar Zebari, in Baghdad today. Ten days ago, a series of blasts struck the capital Baghdad and left 82 dead and 1,203 wounded persons, according to official figures. Meanwhile, Zebari said that issues of mutual concern, including the water and border issues, were raised during their meeting. SS (S) 1