Top Iraq Cleric Survives Assassination Attempt

February 5, 2004

NAJAF, Iraq — Iraq's most powerful Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, survived an assassination attempt on Thursday, Reuters reported.

According to a security official who spoke to the news service, gunmen opened fire on al-Sistani's entourage.

"At 10 o'clock this morning, gunmen opened fire on Ayatollah Sistani as he greeted people in Najaf, but he was not hurt," the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

Al-Sistani has demanded direct elections to choose a provisional assembly to govern Iraq.

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