Sistani Expresses to Pope his Disappointment in Iraqi Politicians

Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, at his home in Najaf city, receives Pope Francis on March 6, 2021. (Sistani's Media OfficeAFP)
Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, at his home in Najaf city, receives Pope Francis on March 6, 2021. (Sistani's Media OfficeAFP)
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Sistani Expresses to Pope his Disappointment in Iraqi Politicians

Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, at his home in Najaf city, receives Pope Francis on March 6, 2021. (Sistani's Media OfficeAFP)
Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, at his home in Najaf city, receives Pope Francis on March 6, 2021. (Sistani's Media OfficeAFP)

Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani expressed to Pope Francis his disappointment in Iraqi politicians, revealed Cardinal Louis Raphael I Sako, head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, after the Pontiff concluded his historic visit to the country.

In televised remarks, Sako, who was among the four official who attended their historic talks in Najaf city, said the meeting was supposed to only last 15 minutes, but ended up lasting 50.

Sako went into details about their meeting, saying Sistani, 90, personally received the pope, rising up from his seat to warmly shake his hands for a long time.

The politicians have disappointed him, said Sako of Sistani, who accused them of prioritizing personal interests above national ones, forcing him to refuse to meet with any of them.

The pope responded that politicians often seek personal interests above national ones.

Sistani has not met any of Iraq’s top officials, including the president, prime minister and parliament speaker, since 2015 in protest against their poor performance, rampant corruption throughout the state and failure to address society’s real problems.

He does however, receive international officials, who are visiting Iraq, including United Nations representatives.

Sistani had also voiced his support for popular anti-government protests that erupted in October 2019.

Asked whether any politician had requested to join the pope’s meeting with Sistani, Sako said no one did.

He revealed that Sistani discussed how major powers exploit wars for their interests.

At the end of their meeting, Sistani personally saw the pope to the door, holding hands while exchanging warm gratitude for the visit and reception.

On the return flight back to Rome on Monday, Pope Francis described his meeting with Sistani as "good for my soul", reported AFP.

"He is a person with this wisdom but also prudence. He told me that for the last 10 years, he has not received any visitors with political or cultural objectives, only those with religious motives.

"He was very respectful during our meeting and I felt honored. He never gets up to greet visitors, but he got up to greet me twice."



Libya's Factions Make Progress in Central Bank Crisis Talks, Says UN Libya Mission

A view of the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli, Libya, August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Aymen Sahli/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A view of the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli, Libya, August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Aymen Sahli/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Libya's Factions Make Progress in Central Bank Crisis Talks, Says UN Libya Mission

A view of the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli, Libya, August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Aymen Sahli/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
A view of the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli, Libya, August 26, 2024. REUTERS/Aymen Sahli/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Libya's rival factions made progress on talks over the central bank crisis and will continue discussions on Thursday to reach a final agreement, the UN Libya mission said on Wednesday, in a bid to defuse a crisis that has slashed oil output and exports.

"The participants of the two (legislative) chambers made progress in agreeing on the general principles governing the interim period leading to the appointment of a new governor and board of directors for the Central Bank," the United Nations Libya mission (UNSMIL) said in a statement.

According to Reuters, the meeting hosted by UNSMIL featured representatives from the Benghazi-based House of Representatives, the High Council of State and the Presidential Council, which are both based in Tripoli.

The standoff began last month when western Libyan factions moved to oust a veteran central bank governor, prompting eastern factions to declare a shutdown to all oil output.

Although Libya's two legislative bodies said last week they agreed to jointly appoint a central bank governor within 30 days, the situation remains fluid and uncertain.

Libyan oil exports fell around 81% last week, Kpler data showed on Wednesday, as the National Oil Corporation cancelled cargoes amid a crisis over control of Libya's central bank and oil revenue.