Shiite official lauds Iraqi Sunni groups

BAGHDAD, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A Shiite political leader in Iraq praised former insurgent groups and other Sunnis who are working with U.S. forces, crediting them with improving security.

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq -- the country's main Shiite party -- said in the Shiite holy city of Najaf that reliance on tribal groups and local councils is one of the major reasons for improving security in Iraq, The New York Times reported Friday.

"We still believe in continuing this strategy," Hakim said.

The official referred to Awakening Councils, anti-al-Qaida Sunni groups that emerged in 2006 and expanded across the country last year. The U.S.-backed groups, which have an estimated 80,000 members -- including many former insurgents -- have been largely credited with helping to root out al-Qaida-linked militants and reducing the number of U.S. deaths in the country.

Jalal al-Din al-Sagheer, another senior Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq official, said Thursday is party wants to keep the Sunni militias tightly controlled.

"We support the awakening project, but on the condition that it should not be penetrated by al-Qaida and that it should not represent just one sect, rather than representing all Iraqis," he said.