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Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Cleric urges Iraq poll neutrality

Al Jazeera English - Middle East - Cleric urges Iraq poll neutrality: "Ali al-Sistani, Iraq's highest Shia religious authority, has called on his fellow clerics to stay neutral in next month's general election and refrain from backing candidates.

In a message released by his office in Najaf on Saturday, al-Sistani said: 'I renew my appeal to people linked to the Marjaiya [the Shia spiritual authority] to maintain strict neutrality towards political parties."

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