BAGHDAD, Iraq Dec 13, 2005 — Gunmen killed a Sunni Arab candidate for parliament and militants tried to blow up a leading Shiite politician in separate attacks Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for Iraq's election.
More than 1,000 Sunni clerics, meanwhile, issued a religious edict, or a fatwa, urging Sunni Arabs to vote in Thursday's balloting offering a seal of approval as members of the disaffected minority are expected to turn out in large numbers after mostly boycotting the landmark Jan. 30 polls.
Ali al-Lami, executive director of the Iraqi Electoral Commission, appealed for peace when about 15 million people will be called on to vote in more than 6,200 polling stations.
Insurgent groups also have in recent days backed way from the threats they used to keep Sunni Arabs away from previous elections.
The militant Islamic Army in Iraq told its fighters not to attack polling stations during the elections to avoid killing civilians, according to a statement published Tuesday in the group's name on the Internet.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he was encouraged by the signs of increased participation.
"I appreciate the statements made by political and religious leaders calling on Sunni Arabs to participate and on insurgents to cease military operations. I believe that the next government will be more representative," he said.
More than 1,000 Sunni clerics, meanwhile, issued a religious edict, or a fatwa, urging Sunni Arabs to vote in Thursday's balloting offering a seal of approval as members of the disaffected minority are expected to turn out in large numbers after mostly boycotting the landmark Jan. 30 polls.
Ali al-Lami, executive director of the Iraqi Electoral Commission, appealed for peace when about 15 million people will be called on to vote in more than 6,200 polling stations.
Insurgent groups also have in recent days backed way from the threats they used to keep Sunni Arabs away from previous elections.
The militant Islamic Army in Iraq told its fighters not to attack polling stations during the elections to avoid killing civilians, according to a statement published Tuesday in the group's name on the Internet.
U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said he was encouraged by the signs of increased participation.
"I appreciate the statements made by political and religious leaders calling on Sunni Arabs to participate and on insurgents to cease military operations. I believe that the next government will be more representative," he said.
Comments