Shias concerned at Iraq handover

Shia Muslims make up the majority in Iraq

Shia leaders in Iraq have warned of "real problems" if their concerns at US plans to hand over power to the Iraqi people are not taken into account.

They say Iraqis must have a role in the handover, and want assurances that future laws will not contradict Islam.

In an accord reached last week, power will transfer to an Iraqi provisional government by end of June 2004.

A senior Shia cleric and political leader has called for that government to be chosen by direct elections.

Under the current transfer plan, the provisional government will be elected by US coalition-selected local leaders.

Framework

Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, who is head of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri), said he and other top Shia clerics had real reservations about the power-transfer plan.

There will be real problems if the reservations we have expressed are not taken into account Abdel Aziz al-Hakim

"One of the main objections... is the absence of any role for the Iraqi people in the transfer of power to Iraqis," he said.

A spokesman for the US-led coalition in Baghdad declined to comment on the remarks, saying that US administrator Paul Bremer did not wish to "negotiate in public".

He told the Associated Press news agency that the 15 November accord was only a framework and a lot of "difficult details" needed to be sorted out.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw - on a surprise visit to Iraq - said he had heard only praise for the plans when he met four members of the Iraqi Council.

Mr Straw could not give a date for the withdrawal of UK troops, but added that they "will stay as long as Iraqi Government and Iraqi people want us to stay and there is a job for us to do".

No rejection

Mr Hakim, and Iraq's most influential Shia leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, also criticised the absence of any references to Islam in the first drafts of the law.

Attacks continue unabated on troops and local Iraqis

"There will be real problems if the reservations we have expressed are not taken into account," Mr Hakim said.

The current plans were agreed by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) and the Iraqi interim Governing Council - of which Mr Hakim is a member - on 15 November.

An aide to Ayatollah Ali Sistani said the cleric did not reject the accord outright.

"He is currently negotiating with the concerned parties," said Haytham al-Husseini.

Shias make up 60% of Iraq's population, and its leaders wield considerable influence in the community.