Lebanonising Iraq

Sectarianism is rearing its head once again in Iraq, further complicating what was already a wretched situation. The Kurds want a federal system. The young Shi'ite leader Moqtada Al-Sadr wants an Islamic constitution and opposes UN involvement in the elections, maintaining that the country's traditional clerical authorities should supervise the elections instead. The confrontation between the Shi'ite majority and the Interim Governing Council, IGC, is worsening. For the past few days, thousands of Shi'ites have taken to the streets in support of Ayatollah Al- Sistani's call for general elections in the country.

Sectarian politics are about to take hold of Iraq, just as in Lebanon in the 1970s. Iraq is at a watershed and the US occupation authorities -- at least indirectly -- appear to have condoned the drift towards sectarianism. Some of Iraq's 12,000 detainees have been released upon the intercession of tribal and clerical leaders. This is hardly reassuring in a country that had hoped to restore a measure of legality and equity founded on citizenship.

Some people are now arguing that elections are not in the best interest of the Sunni community. The Turkoman, Christian, and other communities have voiced similar fears. Recently, the personal status, or marriage, law has been rescinded, allowing various sects to have a say in what was once the legal domain of civil courts. This step was interpreted by many as an attempt to appease the religious currents that oppose the IGC and seek direct elections.

IGC President Adnan Pachachi recently suggested enlarging the IGC to 125 seats, in a concession designed to allow representatives of various factions to be part of the decision making process. Sectarian politics may be a way out of elections in the short run.