Iraq's Top Shiite Cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani Calls for New Government

At the Wall Street Journal, "Iraq's Top Shiite Cleric Calls for New Government: 'Effective' Government Needed That 'Avoids Past Mistakes'":

BAGHDAD—Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric called on Friday for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step aside, breaking ranks with the leader of the Shiite-dominated government after nearly two weeks of fighting with Sunni militants that has left the country's military humiliated.

In a sermon to worshipers in the holy city of Karbala, a spokesman for Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani didn't mention the prime minister by name. But Ahmed al-Safi said it was time for a different administration in Iraq, which is beset by a powerful Sunni insurgency led by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.

"It is necessary for the winning political blocs to start a dialogue that yields an effective government that enjoys broad national support, avoids past mistakes and opens new horizons toward a better future for all Iraqis," Mr. al-Safi said.

Were Mr. Maliki to heed the grand ayatollah's call, it would mark a stunning reversal of fortune for the Iraq's premier, who had been planning for a third, four-year term after his electoral coalition won a plurality of votes in parliamentary elections only a few weeks ago.

Friday's declaration by Ayatollah Sistani came one week after he issued a call to arms to defend Iraq against the Sunni rebellion and a day after U.S. President Barack Obama blamed Mr. Maliki and his sectarian policies for the two-week-old conflict that has eroded Baghdad's authority throughout the country.

In a speech in Washington on Thursday, Mr. Obama said only an "inclusive agenda" will end the crisis facing Mr. Maliki's government.

Iraq's pro-government satellite television station on Friday played up Mr. Obama's support for Baghdad's fight against Sunni Muslim militants but overlooked what the U.S. president suggested was the Iraqi prime minister's sectarian and authoritarian governing style.

Iraqiyya television, which was created by U.S. forces following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 but has since become an important mouthpiece for Mr. Maliki, cast the turmoil in Iraq as a religious conflict and focused its reports on the necessity to rise to the militant Sunni challenge to the Baghdad government.

Mr. Obama, in his speech on Thursday, signaled some limited support for Iraq's fight against Sunni rebels but made clear he wouldn't launch airstrikes against the insurgents or deploy U.S. ground troops to the country. He said, however, that he would send 300 military advisers to assist the Iraqi military.

More.