KARBALA, May 24: Ayatollah Mohammed Baqer al-Hakim, one of Iraq’s top Shia leaders, returned to the holy city of Karbala on Saturday for the first time since ending 23 years of exile.

Ayatollah Hakim, who made a triumphant return to Iraq this month, was greeted by thousands of cheering faithful whose shouts kept him from beginning a speech he was to deliver at the Imam Hossein mosque, one of the holiest Shia shrines.

“With our souls and with our blood, we will sacrifice ourselves for you Hakim,” the crowd chanted. Photos of the cleric were displayed everywhere along with banners reading “Freedom, Independence and Justice.”

He lived in neighbouring Iran, was to make what aides said was an important address to the Iraqi people.—AFP