Najaf: Handover suspended
2004-08-22 13:35
Najaf - The handover of the Najaf shrine from Moqtada Sadr's militiamen to the Shiite religious leadership has been suspended until further notice, a spokesperson for the radical leader said Sunday.
"We do not know how long it will take. It all depends on the situation and (Grand Ayatollah Ali) al-Sistani," said Sheikh Ahmed al-Shaibani.
"The matter is suspended as of now, because we are awaiting the response from Sistani about forming the committee."
Shaibani was referring to a proposal for a panel to carry out a full inventory of the shrine's priceless works of art and alms brought by pilgrims from all over the world.
Sistani has been reluctant to take back the shrine without ensuring that nothing is missing and the Mehdi Army is unwilling to surrender control amid any suggestion of impropriety.
"His office like the idea of accepting the keys, but the mechanism is difficult," said Shaibani.