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Iraq Shia leader mourned in Iran Iraq Shia leader mourned in Iran
(about 1 hour later)
Mourners have gathered in Tehran as the coffin of the powerful Shia Muslim political leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim begins its journey to Iraq for burial.Mourners have gathered in Tehran as the coffin of the powerful Shia Muslim political leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim begins its journey to Iraq for burial.
Hakim, the leader of one of Iraq's most powerful Shia parties died from cancer on Wednesday in the Iranian capital, where he had been undergoing treatment.Hakim, the leader of one of Iraq's most powerful Shia parties died from cancer on Wednesday in the Iranian capital, where he had been undergoing treatment.
A tribute message from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was read at a mourning ceremony at the Iraqi embassy.A tribute message from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was read at a mourning ceremony at the Iraqi embassy.
Hakim was an important power broker and held strong ties with the US and Iran.Hakim was an important power broker and held strong ties with the US and Iran.
"His death is a big loss for the Iraqi people and government, and is a painful incident for the Islamic Republic (of Iran)," Mr Khamenei's statement said."His death is a big loss for the Iraqi people and government, and is a painful incident for the Islamic Republic (of Iran)," Mr Khamenei's statement said.
ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM Born circa 1950, died 26 August 2009Leader of Islamist Shia party Sciri, later SIIC, since 2003 Back by Tehran, but maintaining close ties to its arch-rival Washington Lost six of his seven brothers and 50 extended family members in resistance to Saddam Hussein Obituary: Abdul Aziz al-Hakim ABDUL AZIZ AL-HAKIM Born circa 1950, died 26 August 2009Leader of Islamist Shia party Sciri, later SIIC, since 2003Backed by Tehran, but maintaining close ties to its arch-rival WashingtonLost six of his seven brothers and 50 extended family members in resistance to Saddam Hussein Obituary: Abdul Aziz al-Hakim
Hakim opposed Saddam Hussein from exile in Iran for more than two decades, before returning to Iraq in 2003 after the US-led invasion.Hakim opposed Saddam Hussein from exile in Iran for more than two decades, before returning to Iraq in 2003 after the US-led invasion.
He had chosen to receive chemotherapy for lung cancer in Iran, but his body is due to be transported to the Shia holy city of Najaf for burial.He had chosen to receive chemotherapy for lung cancer in Iran, but his body is due to be transported to the Shia holy city of Najaf for burial.
Iranian and Iraqi mourners gathered as the coffin, draped in an Iraqi flag, was borne through a Tehran street.Iranian and Iraqi mourners gathered as the coffin, draped in an Iraqi flag, was borne through a Tehran street.
He took control of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri - which later became SIIC) after his brother was assassinated in Najaf in 2003.He took control of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri - which later became SIIC) after his brother was assassinated in Najaf in 2003.
The party has several senior cabinet members, and its militia - the Badr Brigade - has at times wielded considerable influence in Iraq's security establishment.The party has several senior cabinet members, and its militia - the Badr Brigade - has at times wielded considerable influence in Iraq's security establishment.
Revered familyRevered family
Since falling ill, Hakim had cut back his political involvement and his son Ammar gained prominence. He is expected to take over leadership of the party.Since falling ill, Hakim had cut back his political involvement and his son Ammar gained prominence. He is expected to take over leadership of the party.
As heir to the leadership of one of the main anti-Saddam Hussein factions in Iraq, Abdul Aziz Hakim managed to keep good ties with both the American authorities and Iran, which strongly backed his group.As heir to the leadership of one of the main anti-Saddam Hussein factions in Iraq, Abdul Aziz Hakim managed to keep good ties with both the American authorities and Iran, which strongly backed his group.
His brother and predecessor as party leader was the charismatic Ayatollah Muhammad Baqr al-Hakim, who was killed along with about 100 supporters in a massive car bombing in the city of Najaf in August 2003.His brother and predecessor as party leader was the charismatic Ayatollah Muhammad Baqr al-Hakim, who was killed along with about 100 supporters in a massive car bombing in the city of Najaf in August 2003.
The family is revered among Iraq's largest religious community, the Shia, for its tradition of scholarship and its bouts of resistance against Saddam Hussein in its southern Iraqi stronghold.The family is revered among Iraq's largest religious community, the Shia, for its tradition of scholarship and its bouts of resistance against Saddam Hussein in its southern Iraqi stronghold.
However, the quietly-spoken Hakim was distrusted by many Sunnis who saw him as too Iranian-orientated and sectarian in his political philosophy.However, the quietly-spoken Hakim was distrusted by many Sunnis who saw him as too Iranian-orientated and sectarian in his political philosophy.
Some time after the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, the party changed its name from Sciri - the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq - to the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council. In 2007, the party changed its name from Sciri - the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq - to the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council.
SIIC has been part of Iraq's ruling Shia alliance, the United Iraqi Alliance, led by the Islamic Dawa party of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.SIIC has been part of Iraq's ruling Shia alliance, the United Iraqi Alliance, led by the Islamic Dawa party of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki.
However, ahead of national elections in January, the SIIC announced last week that it would campaign from within a new Shia Muslim bloc.However, ahead of national elections in January, the SIIC announced last week that it would campaign from within a new Shia Muslim bloc.