Ali al-Sistani, who is the leader of the shia majority in Iraq, have presented a rare political call.

Iraq's top spiritual leader, storayatollah Ali al-Sistani, calls on Friday to hold elections in the uroplagede country.

Sistanis call comes after nearly three months of violent protests in the country. Over 450 people - many unarmed protesters - have been killed during the unrest, which broke out in the beginning of October.

- The quickest and easiest way out of the current crisis and to avoid to end in chaos and internal strife is to trust the people by holding new elections, says Abdel Mahdi al-Kerbalai, who is the representative of Sistani.

The 89-year-old religious leader never shows himself in public.

He is the leader of the shia majority in Iraq, and his voice has great importance in the country. Sistani mixes very rarely in iraqi politics, but has done it during the big crises in its recent history

Demonstrations in cities across Iraq have been led by young people. They will have fought against corruption, poverty and the old political elite. At the same time demanded that Iran must stop interfering in iraqi matters.

Prime minister Abdel Abdul-Mahdi announced last month that he would resign after Sistani withdrew his support to the government back.

on Wednesday succeeded it is not for parliament to get support for a new electoral law be required to be adopted from the protesters ' side.

the Purpose of the new law is to ensure more fair elections in the future.

- We hope that the composition of the new government not be delayed too long, says the message from Sistani on Friday.

/ritzau/Reuters