Clerics threaten election boycott

No fatwa yet.

An influential group of Sunni Muslim clerics has threatened to call a boycott of Iraqi elections if US forces launch a full-scale assault on Falluja.

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"In the event that Falluja is invaded or if it continues to be struck by planes the clerics of Iraq will call on Iraqis to boycott the elections," spokesman Muhammad al-Faidhi said at the association's headquarters on Sunday.

"This condition has already been breached as occupation forces have struck the town since the conference and it is now possible to take this decision.

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Even if an attack on Falluja is averted, the AMS, which comprises thousands of mainly Sunni clerics from across Iraq, would dismiss the outcome of any ballot held under the gaze of 138,000 US troops.

al Jazeera