Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Khamenei hails Iraq Shiite leader's battle against Saddam
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Khamenei hails Iraq Shiite leader's battle against Saddam
AFP - Friday, August 28
TEHRAN (AFP) - - Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised leading Iraqi Shiite politician Abdel Aziz al-Hakim as the symbol of the struggle against Saddam Hussein's regime on Thursday, as Iranians mourned his death.
ADVERTISEMENT
"His death is a big loss for the Iraqi people and government, and is a painful incident for the Islamic Republic (of Iran)," said Khamenei, in a message read at a ceremony in Tehran where Hakim died in hospital on Wednesday.
The Iraqi cleric, who died of lung cancer after a 28-month battle, was one of the principal leaders in exile of the opposition to Saddam's regime, which mounted a devastating 1980-88 war against Iran.
"He symbolised the hardship involved in jihad in fighting tyranny," said Khamenei as hundreds of Iranians gathered at the Iraqi embassy to mourn.
"The efforts and endeavour of this hardworking cleric are unique and unforgettable both in Iraq and Iran.
"I pay my condolences to the Iraqi government, Hakim's family and especially Ammar Hakim," he added, referring to Hakim's elder son, who has said he is prepared to take on his father's mantle.
In Damascus, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed his "sincere condolences and sympathy" to his Iraqi counterpart, Jalal Talabani, and to the people of the country.
Syria and Iraq are engaged in a diplomatic spat, with Baghdad insisting Syria is harbouring insurgents responsible for deadly recent bombings in the Iraqi capital. Damascus denies involvement.
In Iraq, top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani was deeply saddened by Hakim's death, his office in the central shrine city of Najaf said.
"In deep sadness, Ali al-Sistani received the news of the death of his eminence scholar Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, who passed away after a life full of giving for the sake of his religion and country, and to save his people from despotism and injustice," Sistani's office said.
Leading Iranian officials such as parliament speaker Ali Larijani and Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki were present at the ceremony in Tehran.
"He had an admirable devotion and deference to the supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei," said Larijani, dressed in black, in an address to the mourners.
"We hope his sacred way continues more powerfully and we will witness our brother's increasingly effective role on the scene."
The coffin carrying Hakim's body was wrapped in the Iraqi flag and borne by pallbearers a short distance from the embassy in tribute.
"Death to America. Death to Israel," the mourners chanted.
The body was taken to Iran's clerical capital of Qom later in the day, where it was also honoured by top Shiite clerics, before being flown to Baghdad.
From Baghdad airport the body will be taken to the mausoleum of Imam Kadhim in the Kadhimiyah shrine district of the Iraqi capital.
It will later be taken to an official mourning ceremony in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, the seat of the Iraqi government and the US embassy.
After the ceremony in the Green Zone, the body will be conveyed to the Shiite shrine city of Karbala and Hakim is expected to be buried in Najaf on Saturday.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Hakim's death "a great loss for the Iraqi people," and paid particular tribute to his family, describing them as "revolutionaries," the official IRNA news agency reported.
In 1982, Hakim helped to establish an opposition movement in exile in Iran to battle Saddam's Sunni-dominated regime, and returned to Iraq after the US-led invasion of 2003.
His Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council (SIIC) swept Shiite areas in the first provincial elections after the invasion, but in new elections this January the party suffered major losses.
A former chain smoker, Hakim was admitted to a Tehran hospital on Saturday following complications.
"The advanced stage of cancer had damaged his liver, brain and bones and because of that he died," said a doctor at the Masih Daneshvari hospital.
Hakim had been in Tehran for treatment for more than four months and also visited the United States in the past to consult lung cancer specialists.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: War On Terror
AP NewsAlertAP - Friday, August 28
Khamenei hails Iraq Shiite leader's battle against SaddamAFP - Friday, August 28
Wounded Taliban commander captured in Afghan clinicReuters - Friday, August 28
Gunshots fired, sirens wail in Afghan capitalReuters - Thursday, August 27
Related Articles: World
Saudi security official survives attack - reportReuters - Friday, August 28
U.S. warns Karzai on fraud, corruption, militia tiesReuters - Friday, August 28
Uruguay lawmakers approve gay adoptionsAFP - Friday, August 28
Kidnapped California girl found 18 years laterReuters - Friday, August 28
Tropical Storm Danny moves toward US coastAFP - Friday, August 28
Related Full Coverage
War On Terror
Global fight against terrorism
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on
Profile of swine flu begins to emerge: study
Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe
Ciudad Juarez, deadliest city in the world: watchdog
Singer Chris Brown sentenced for Rihanna assault
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 28 August 2009 'At least 18 killed' in NW Pakistan suicide attack
Russia charges mystery ship suspects with piracy
Regulators open inquiry into wireless industry
Stanford group finance officer admits huge fraud
Family gathers for Kennedy's final journey
Facebook tightens safeguards after Canada talks
Boeing delays Dreamliner delivery to late 2010
US on recovery track after unrevised GDP drop
Iran MP says rape of some vote detainees proven
Facebook, under Canadian pressure, to tweak privacy
Colombian senator tells Chavez: Open Your Eyes!
| International
|
UN council extends Lebanon force with same mandate
| International
|
EU diplomats say Cuba dissident case worrying
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Microsoft cuts Xbox price by 25 percent
French official to talk iPhone troubles with Apple
| Technology
|
Suicide bomber kills 22 Pakistani border guards
Mona Lisa comes to life in high-tech art exhibit
| Technology
|
Pakistan suicide bomber hits checkpoint; 18 dead
Tropical Storm Danny churns toward northeastern US coast
Regulators open inquiry into wireless industry
| Technology
|
Myanmar's Suu Kyi to file appeal on case next week
Taiwan confirms 543 dead, 117 missing after typhoon
China endorses resolution on climate change
End military surveillance missions, China tells US
Firefighters battle 3 Calif. wildfires amid heat
East Timor rights abusers unpunished, Amnesty says
GDP declines 1 percent in 2Q, better than expected
US to Malaysia: Stop human trafficking quickly
Vt. gov. says he won't seek re-election
Drone attack in northwestern Pakistan kills 6
Rep. Jenkins: GOP looking for `great white hope'
Elderly have their own worries on health overhaul
India's Tata Steel reveals surprise net loss
Taiwan parliament approves reconstruction budget
Yen gains as risk appetite wanes
Mona Lisa comes to life in high-tech art exhibit
| Entertainment
|
Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus lead U.S. singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Just a Minute With: Tim Gunn of Project Runway
| Entertainment
|
Laura Linney to star in cancer comedy on TV
| Entertainment
|
Death Cab For Cutie scores lead New Moon single
| Entertainment
|
Beyonce to perform at the MTV Video Awards
Denzel Washington movie call takes job fair tone
Time Warner Cable, Verizon to test TV on the Web
| Entertainment
|
Prostitutes turn models for a night in Rio fashion show
TV pitchman Trudeau has FTC fine, ban thrown out
| Entertainment
|
Al Qaeda number 2 urges support for Pakistan jihad
Two Koreas reach deal on reunions of split families
| International
|
Swiss businessmen not returned from Libya: Bern
US-TECH Summary
Poland marks 65th anniversary of Lodz ghetto liquidation
Japan opposition set for win, faces economic woes
| International
|
Saudi security official survives attack
Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on
Dell net profit down 23 pct
FCC to probe competition in US wireless industry
U.S. hints at flexibility on Israeli settlement halt
AIG extends improbable rally as bears squeezed
Netanyahu calls for 'crippling sanctions' against Iran
Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner first delivery to late 2010
Google adds translation program to Google Docs
Thai court jails Thaksin supporter for royal insult
| International
|
Chavez to fight U.S.-Colombia deal at Latam summit
| International
|
French official to talk iPhone troubles with Apple
Pakistan suicide blast kills at least 21
New website calculates risk of dying
Khamenei hails Iraq Shiite leader's battle against Saddam
Taiwan president seeks to save reputation after storm
| International
|
Facebook, under Canadian pressure, to tweak privacy
U.N. council extends Lebanon force with same mandate
Iran ayatollah: Opposition not stooges for West
Myanmar residents flee into China after new fighting
| International
|
U.S. hints at flexibility on Israeli settlement halt
| International
|
Swedish regulator to Pirate Bay suitor: where's the money?
French minister to meet Apple chief on 'exploding iPhones'
Microsoft cuts Xbox price by 25 percent
New Moldovan parliament meets after communists fail
| International
|
Latvia gets fresh IMF loan, challenges remain
| International
|
Japan opposition set for win, faces economic woes
NKoreans' quiet food aid trip to US
Thousands bid farewell at Kennedy coffin
Two Koreas near deal on reunions of split families
Kidnapped US woman kept 18 years in yard
Japan icon Nakamura ready to take on Spain
NASA readying shuttle Discovery for Friday launch
US asks China not to harm family of Uighur leader
In southern Afghan city, fears of Taliban takeover
U.S. warns Karzai on fraud, corruption, militia ties
After historic 1979 trip, NBA club returns to China
Calif. to shift largest juvenile prison to adults
Idaho GOP hopeful jokes about 'Obama Tags'
Ethnic group in Myanmar said to break cease-fire
Bernanke personal bank account struck by ID theft
China says must reduce emissions, but mentions no targets
Calif. man convicted of abusing son for 18 years
Suicide bomber kills 22 Pakistani border guards
Geologists assess Yosemite hotel rockfall risk
Japan's jobless rate hits record high
S.Korea c/a seen at peak, but to stay in surplus
Seoul shares up 0.9 pct; Hyundai Motor,Mobis rally
Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner delivery to late 2010
Japan: record jobless rate, deflation fears
S.Korean T-bonds slip on supply concerns, shares
Toyota moving NUMMI production to other plants
Jeremy Piven cleared in Broadway sushi dispute
Seoul shares open 0.85 pct higher helped by techs
SKorea's current account surplus shrinks in July
Bayreuth Wagner revival shines
Euro firms against dollar on recovery hopes
2 original Buena Vista members to tour Brazil
CORRECTED: Laura Linney to star in cancer comedy on TV
Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus lead U.S. singles chart
Death Cab For Cutie scores lead "New Moon" single
Arbiter rules for Jeremy Piven in contract dispute
Linney set for offbeat comedy pilot about cancer
9/11 aims to become single largest day of service
Jeremy Piven cleared in Broadway sushi dispute
| Entertainment
|
TV pitchman Trudeau has FTC fine, ban thrown out
Spielberg takes on Crichton's Pirate Latitudes
| Entertainment
|
TV pitchman Trudeau has FTC fine, ban thrown out
| Entertainment
|
Death Cab For Cutie scores lead New Moon single
| Entertainment
|
Complaints of Afghan election fraud pour in
| International
|
Ahmadinejad demands opposition chiefs punished
Ahmadinejad demands opposition chiefs punished
NASA readying shuttle Discovery for Friday launch
China Unicom in deal for Apple's iPhone
Appetite spells three wolves' doom in Switzerland
Iran president wants opposition leaders punished
| International
|
The Beatles rock music invasion reborn in videogame
Saudi royal survives attack claimed by Qaeda
| International
|
US envoy in 'testy' election meeting with Karzai
Palestinians must unite for talks, UN chief says
| International
|
EXCLUSIVE: Berlusconi sues local, foreign media for libel
| International
|
Myanmar fighting forces up to 30,000 to flee to China
| International
|
Britain pledges $1 billion to help Pakistan
| International
|
Microsoft cuts Xbox price by 25 percent
| Technology
|
U.S. unveils new rules on border searches of laptops
| Technology
|
Australia defends 'discriminatory' Aboriginal plan
China Unicom in deal for Apple's iPhone
| Technology
|
In testing times, samurai craze sweeps Japan
Poll: Americans support Obama on energy issues
UN says 30,000 flee Myanmar amid fears of civil war
Lynching victim Till's casket to go to Smithsonian
Taiwan readies for Dalai Lama visit as China fumes
Stepdad: Girl held 18 years enjoys 'happy' reunion
Everything must go! Calif. holds giant garage sale
Thai woman jailed for 18 years over royal slur
Berlin wall post costs Vietnam blogger job: editor
Who needs a smoking gun? Here's the hot pants tape
N.Korea agrees to restart reunions, free fishermen
China urges US to end military surveillance at sea
Nixon dug deep for dirt on Ted Kennedy
More than 1,500 ordered to flee Calif. wildfires
Two Koreas agree on family reunions: statement
Taiwan media's warning on Dalai Lama visit
Taiwan dollar falls on importers, fund outflows
Toyota to end production at California plant
China to drop auto parts tariff: state media
Japanese auto production sinks in July
Court throws out FCC cable ownership limit
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares rise; up 1.9 pct in August =2
First Chinese airline goes bankrupt: state media
Australia defends 'discriminatory' Aboriginal policy
Japan's jobless rate hits record ahead of election
Lithuania's bitter World War II legacy
Malaysia's PM says bold reforms vital for recovery
Seoul shares rise; end up 1.9 pct on August
Ramadan thunder keeps ritual alive in the Holy City
Powerful undersea quake strikes eastern Indonesia
Spielberg takes on Crichton's "Pirate Latitudes"
Japan auto production sinks in July
'Wizards of Waverly Place' transforms into movie
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights