Al-Sader: we will not permit aggressions against Syria, Iran

The Shiite clergy Muqtada al-Sader appeared yesterday in al-Koufa mosque for the first time and made a critical speech in which he criticized the Iraqi prime minister Eyad Allawi. He also condemned the " Zionist practices in Lebanon and Palestine " announcing simultaneously he will not permit " attacking Syria and Lebanon." Al-Sader's sermon also blamed the Shiite reference Kazem al-Haeri.

Al-Haeri who lives in Iran and is considered the spiritual leader for al-Sader announced during the period which witnessed confrontations between al-Sader supporters and the American forces in April that al-Sader does not represent him.

Al-Sader said in Friday's sermon addressing the Iraqi prime minister " Allawi, I say you were not the one who ordered the closure of ' the mouthpiece al-Houzah' and because of that you do not have the right to re-issue it. Damn you and the occupation."

Al-Sader also announced his rejection to beheading hostages in Iraq. He said " we deplore what certain people do concerning the beheading of prisoners. It is an illegitimate matter according to the Islamic Sharia." He added " every one does so is a criminal and we will punish him according to the Islamic laws."