Iraq: Sadr Says He Won’t Take Part in October Election

Arab World

July 16th, 4:45am

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE: Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr via AFP

Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr said on Thursday he will not take part in Iraq’s next election in October, and he will not support any parties. “To preserve what has left of the country and to save the country..I inform you that I will not take part in this election,” Sadr said in a televised speech. "I inform you that I will not participate in these elections. The nation is more important than all of that," Sadr said, adding that he was "withdrawing his hand from those who belong to this current government and the following one". According to Reuters, Sadr said Iraq was being subjected to a "satanic regional scheme to humiliate the country and to bring it to its knees". "Watch out before Iraq's fate becomes like that of Syria, Afghanistan or other states that have fallen victim to internal, regional and international policies," he said.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3083026/iraq-sadr-says-he-won%E2%80%99t-take-part-october-election