Iraqi PM candidate calls for religious law, quick Saddam trial News
Iraqi PM candidate calls for religious law, quick Saddam trial

[JURIST] Ibrahim Jaafari, Iraq's leading Shiite candidate for Prime Minister, said Saturday that he would introduce Sharia Islamic law [Wikipedia overview] and federalism if selected. Jaafari's Daawa party [official website in Arabic] currently holds a majority of National Assembly seats from the January general election. A poll conducted by the US International Republican Institute [press release] shows public sentiment in Iraq on the application of Sharia law is split – 48 percent are in favor, while 46 percent support a separation of mosque and state. Jaafari also said that under the new law woman would be under no obligation to wear a veil, and the trial of Saddam Hussein would be completed by the end of the year. AP has more.