BAGHDAD, Iraq – If an influential Shiite cleric sticks to his demand for early legislative elections, then the coalition may turn sovereignty over to the U.S.-appointed Iraqi Governing Council, coalition and Iraqi officials said Tuesday.
One top Iraqi official said the cleric would accept a transfer of power to the Governing Council as a way out of the standoff.
Transferring power to the Governing Council was among options under study if the United Nations fails to convince Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani that early elections are not feasible, coalition officials told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Publicly, coalition officials have insisted the best way to choose the transitional legislature is by 18 regional caucuses. U.S. officials hope to convince al-Sistani that a legislature chosen by caucuses would have greater legitimacy than the Governing Council.
Iraqi Governing Council could take over powers from coalition
January 21, 2004
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