Interim law an ‘obstacle to Iraq constitution’

THE spiritual guide of Iraq’s Shi’ite Muslim majority, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, yesterday called the country’s new transitional law an obstacle to a permanent constitution.

Iraq's Governing Council signed the landmark document, a key step in US plans to hand over power to the Iraqis by July 1.

The 25 council members signed the document before an audience of prominent Iraqi and American civilian and military officials, including the top administrator in Iraq, Paul Bremer.