Iraqi Party For Shi'ite 'Revolution' Changes Name

Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim (epa) May 12, 2007 -- One of Iraq's most powerful Shi'ite political parties has dropped the word "revolution" from its name.
The Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) will henceforth be known as the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq.


Party leader Abd al-Aziz al-Hakim, a top Shi'ite cleric, announcing the name change at a news conference today, said the word "revolution" has become "unnecessary."


The party, which was founded as an opposition movement in exile in Iran in 1982, is one of the most powerful blocs in the Iraqi government.


(AFP)