Basra celebrates ayatollah's arrival

By Jane Peel BBC correspondent in Basra

The ayatollah's return is a momentous occasion for Iraq's Shias

The great Shia leader had not even crossed the border from Iran when thousands of men began congregating in the small stadium in Basra where he was due to address them.

They had with them the green flags of Islam and hastily prepared posters bearing the image of the ayatollah.

Children wandered around, proudly showing off their own posters.

The sign on the entrance to the stadium had been given a facelift to include a welcome message to the exiled Shia leader from the whole of the city of Basra.

While they waited patiently, Ayatollah Mohammed Baqr al-Hakim was driving into Iraq in a convoy of vehicles - watched by Iranian border guards on the one side and British soldiers on the other.

His protection force, known as the Badr Brigade, completely surrounded his car and hundreds of people who travelled to the border had no chance to see him.

A few scuffles broke out and cars had their windscreens smashed.

By the time Ayatollah Hakim arrived in Basra the stadium and the streets outside were full to overflowing.

Lorry and bus drivers had stopped their vehicles in the middle of the road and, along with anyone who could manage it, clambered onto the roof to see over the stadium walls.

The traffic came to a complete standstill.

Revered leader

This was a momentous occasion for the people of Basra and the whole of south-eastern Iraq - a Shia-dominated area so oppressed under Saddam Hussein.

Here was a man they revered and who had been a great antagonist of Saddam. Eighteen members of his own family were killed under the old regime.

Mohammed Baqr al-Hakim brought Basra to a standstill

Not all those present spoke with one voice.

There were those who supported the idea of an Islamic government for Iraq.

Others were wary of such an idea, telling me they would be happier for there to be a divide between the secular and the religious.

Some said they were not even followers of the ayatollah, but believed they had to come because they were Muslims and all Muslims should unite.

There was also disagreement about the presence of foreign troops in their country.

They were all so happy to have been liberated, but wanted Iraq back for the Iraqis as soon as possible.

For the time being the majority seem content to wait, but their patience is likely to run out if an Iraqi Government is not installed soon.