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Iraq Shiite spiritual leader urges big poll turnout
Iraq's leading Shiite cleric called on voters on Wednesday to turn out massively for next month's general election but did not endorse any particular party.
Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al-Sistani's support is seen as key to boosting turnout for the March 7 parliamentary election, which is widely viewed as a test of reconciliation in Iraq after the sectarian bloodshed that followed the US-led invasion of 2003.
The cleric is revered by his followers and his stature dwarfs that of any Iraqi politician, including Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, himself a Shiite.
"Ayatollah Sistani sees it as critical that all people -- men and women -- who care about the future of the country and rebuilding it... participate in the election," a statement from his office said.