Hakim's body returned for burial in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The body of Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, the powerful Shiite Muslim political leader who died in Iran this week, has been returned to Iraq for burial.

The body was to be taken to the Shia shrine city of Karbala. The burial will be in Najaf Saturday, officials told the BBC.

Hakim, an important power broker with strong ties in the United States and Iran, died in Tehran where he was being treated for lung cancer. He was 59.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and hundreds of officials met the coffin at Baghdad airport.

Security was reinforced along the route of the funeral cortege in Baghdad, with many Shia followers expected to turn out to mourn Hakim. The BBC said that such gatherings often are targeted by bombers.