Sistani warning raises concerns of Iraqi politicians

Firas Nasser-Najaf

A warning quoted by the head of the UN mission in Iraq, Jenin Hines Blaskhart from the Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani from taking another route in case the presidencies of Iraq did not respond to the demands of the demonstrators, raised the concerns of the ruling political blocs, which made them hold intensive meetings during the past two days to explain what is meant by his warning.

She met Sistani on Monday in Najaf, and quoted him as worried about the lack of seriousness of political forces in reforms, and said in a press conference that the Shiite authority told her that the demonstrators will not return to their homes only after the implementation of their demands and within a specified period.

Popular legitimacy
Talking through another opened the door for interpretation on its intent and what that way? Sources close to the Office of the Shiite authority - in an interview with the island Net - "The warning Sistani the strongest message since the outbreak of demonstrations calling for reform in Iraq, which has been going on for several weeks, a clear warning to the political blocs, and we mean the wise of them, to work to speed up the implementation of what is contained" .

These sources added that the talk about another option was quoted by the UN representative in Iraq during a private interview with Sistani, and we can not confirm his health, but we know that all options are on the table, especially with the sense of reference that the government may not be able to implement the required reforms, which complicate things on Of in power today.

"According to what we know, the other way is direct or indirect pressure on the three authorities (presidencies of the Republic, ministers and parliament) to put a time limit on those reforms demanded by peaceful demonstrators."

The same sources pointed out that in the event of withdrawing legitimacy and popular cover from the political blocs in force, these blocs will be forced to submit the resignations of its representatives from the government and resort to early elections, which - we believe - what was meant by the reference and reached the three presidencies, Valstistani has millions of imitators in Iraq And, if they take to the street will change the equation, and this is what the reference tries to warn politicians of its consequences, solutions are all available today and the words of reference must be taken to end the current crisis in Iraq.

Other informed sources told Al Jazeera Net that the political blocs, especially the Shiite ones that control power and support the survival of Adel Abdul Mahdi in office - began secret meetings expanded to learn the intentions of the reference and the other way you mean, and there were extensive contacts between these blocs with other Sunni and Kurdish blocs to map Way to implement the demands, with the aim not to pull the reference cover them in front of their grassroots.

She added that those blocks do not exclude any option after that warning, and will go on this map in the coming days to Najaf to inform the reviewer in order to gain time, where these messages will carry delegations of moderate figures.

Mixed reactions
Commenting on these developments, Hamed al-Moussawi, a member of the Iraqi parliament for the Fatah Alliance - the major political bloc in support of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi's stay in office - said that the Shiite authority had addressed the forces of power and warned them to carry out reforms and implement the demands of the demonstrators, or will have to resort to the other way, It is going to early elections and changing the shape of power and state in Iraq.

Moussawi pointed out that the reference is trying to control the rhythm of the demonstrations by sending calls to continue in the peaceful path, especially in light of foreign interventions US trying to exploit to derail it.

For his part, said the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Hoshyar Zebari that the position of Sistani and the White House statement calling for early elections will lead to escalation of demonstrations and increase the enthusiasm of the protesters.

Zebari said in a tweet through his Twitter account that there was a need for accountability and finding a clear political path for real reforms, and asked whether "the government can do this? Yes they can."

Betting on time
As for the political analyst Hadi self-made that Sistani issued a warning to the political class - especially the ruling ones - that the reference will not stand at one option or road.

Al-Osami added that Al-Jazeera Net may have to take a road that puts an end to the authorities' inability or refusal to respond to the demands of peaceful demonstrators.The speech is directed to the government, and may ask it to take a road that allows the replacement of Adel al-Mahdi and his ministers to think of other solutions that put an end to the bleeding of Iraqi blood.

But the point of view of this reference - according to self-made - is not in harmony with the aspirations of the political class because it strikes its interests, and the evidence is the refusal of Abdul Mahdi to resign, in the sense that the chanting of all officials that Sistani valve safety of Iraq is to market and legitimize their work, not to apply.

For his part, said political analyst Falah al-Nasseri to the island Net that despite the support of Najaf's reference to protesters and legitimate demands for reform, regardless of the ceiling, it is trying to control the rhythm of these demonstrations and maintain their momentum and peacefulness for fear of sliding the country into an internal conflict does not thank the consequences of two important.

Nasseri explained that the first issue is related to foreign interventions that are highly effective, but not visible, and the second is that the parties and political blocs adhere firmly to reforms that do not satisfy the demonstrators, play on the factor of time and break up the sit-ins slowly until they end.

He cautioned that the weight of the Marjaiya, especially socially, embarrasses the authorities and the parties, so they threatened in a veiled way to resort to another way or option.It could be to dissolve parliament and call for early elections, but they can resort to this option only if things arrive To a dead end.