"Our country must be governed by its people, by its best children," Mohammad Reda Ali Sistani said for his father who refuses to talk directly to journalists.

"It is for Iraqis to choose who governs, we want them to control the country."

Ayatollah Sistani remained inside his house in this Shiite holy city south of Baghdad, after gunmen told him Sunday to leave the country.

The gunmen were said to be from the same group that hacked to death prominent pro-Western Shiite cleric Sayyed Abdul Majid al-Khoei in Najaf on Thursday.

The killing came just a week after Khoei returned to the city from London with the help of US forces who invaded on March 20, amid reports of power struggles among the Shiites, a majority in Iraq.

"For as long as those who submit to the Najaf Hawza (religious school) have influence, we can expect them to be threatened," said the son.

"These events are regrettable; we are going through a bad period in this town which is one of the most sacred in the world."

Mohammad Reda said his father was not seeking "any post" in the new Iraqi government.

"Those who submit to Najaf do not interfere in these affairs," he added referring to the "wise men" of the school.

SPACE.WIRE