Shias want UN decision on elections: "Grand Ayat Allah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's highest-ranking Shia cleric, wants the United Nations to rule if early elections can take place in the country, in a new embarrassment to the US occupation authorities."

Having smashed the Baath party and deeply alienated the Sunnis, the US faces a serious problem of demands for democracy from the Shiites.

Shias want UN decision on elections: "Grand Ayat Allah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's highest-ranking Shia cleric, wants the United Nations to rule if early elections can take place in the country, in a new embarrassment to the US occupation authorities."

Having smashed the Baath party and deeply alienated the Sunnis, the US faces a serious problem of demands for democracy from the Shiites.