BEIJING Aug. 12 -- A Shiite leader on Thursday threw his support behind a federal system of government that would create a Shiite south and a Kurdish north.

    But Sunni Arabs warned the move could postpone completion of a new constitution with a deadline only four days away.

    Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, the head of Shiite Muslims, backs Kurdish demands to have the government take on a federal shape.

    Sunni Arab leaders opposed that, fearing the stance could split their territories from oil-rich areas that are heavily populated by Kurds and Shiites.

    A spokesman for al-Hakim added that the senior cleric supports the continued presence of militias in the country, another provision that Sunni Arabs reject.

    A major obstacle to agreement has been the Kurds' demand that Iraq be transformed into a federal state as a way to protect their self-rule in three northern provinces.

    Shiites are divided, with factions supporting federalism wanting to build a Shiite region in the south.

    Kurds have largely governed themselves since 1991 and insist on a continuation of regional autonomy.

    The new constitution is supposed to be approved by parliament by Monday and put before voters in an Oct. 15 referendum.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)