The country's most powerful Shiite cleric endorsed the draft constitution Thursday, rejecting opposition voiced by two popular leaders of Iraq's majority sect and underlining a rift also on display in anti-British violence in the southern city of Basra.

Two officials in the Shiite Muslim hierarchy in Najaf said Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called senior aides together and told them to promote a "yes" vote among the faithful during the Oct. 15 national referendum on the constitution.

al-Sistani is on board, that's great news. :) I've always been very impressed by his thoughtfulness and charisma, and I'm glad that he seems to have recovered well from his heart surgery last year.

He's got a nice website too, available in five different languages.

Powerful Shiite Cleric Backs New Iraq Constitution