Hakim in interview to Al-Ahram one day before assassination

There are some circles working on proliferation of Shiite and Arab-Arab conflicts inside Iraq, said Shiite leaders Muhammad Baqer al-Hakim in an interview with Al-Ahram one day ahead of his assassination in the Iraqi city of An-Najaf by a bomb.

Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), stressed keenness by the Shiite majority on working with the Sunnis to protect the interest of the Iraqi people.

He said the SCIRI, in its capacity as member in the interim governing council (IGC), told the U.S. forces that the policies, they pursue in Iraq are wrong, holding them responsible for incidents in the country and lack of security.

"The U.S. side failed to provide security and protect holy shrines, particularly after threats by the azlam (remnants and agents) of the former regime to kill the ulema of the hawza, (seminary)," said Hakim.