Iraq's Shia majority should be granted an autonomous federal state in the south of the country, a senior Shia leader has said

BBC News:

Abdul Aziz al-Hakim made his call at a rally in the Shia holy city of Najaf, as Iraqi politicians debate the wording and balance of a new constitution.

Shia Muslims, who make up some 60% of Iraq's population, faced repression under Saddam Hussein's Sunni regime.

Iraq's Kurdish minority in the north already enjoy de facto autonomy.

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