Shiites 'won't accept changes to constitution'

The most influential politician in Iraq today issued a veiled warning to Sunni Arabs that Shiites would not allow substantive amendments to the country’s new constitution, including to the provision that keeps the central government weak in favour of strong provincial governments.

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, said in an address in honour of the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha that provincial governments would remain strong in the constitution, which can be amended for four months after the next government is installed.