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Iraqi Shi'ite leader too ill to lead prayers

BAGHDAD
Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:17am EDT

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Senior Iraqi Shi'ite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim was too ill to lead Eid al-Fitr prayers at his Baghdad home on Saturday, his son said, days after he returned to Iraq following treatment for lung cancer in Iran.

Hakim made his first public appearance in five months on Saturday, waving to a large crowd at his southern Baghdad home after Eid al-Fitr prayers that marked the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Ammar al-Hakim, who has led the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council (SIIC) during his father's absence, told worshippers that doctors had advised his father not to lead the lengthy prayers marking the end Ramadan.

Sunni Arabs in Iraq celebrated Eid on Friday. Majority Shi'ites celebrated the religious holiday on Saturday.


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