BEIRUT, Lebanon: Lebanon's top Shiite Muslim cleric has issued a religious edict banning attacks on public utilities in Iraq, mainly the oil industry.
Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah says in a statement that Iraqis should work for stability in their country otherwise they will be helping the "occupation."
"We stress the contents of the fatwa that it is prohibited to attack properties and public wealth, whether it is oil wealth or other types of wealth," Fadlallah says in Monday's announcement.
Iraq-born Fadlallah enjoys some influence among Iraq's Shiites.
© 2008 AP
