The speeches delivered by imams at hundreds of mosques throughout the capital provided the first crystallization of reaction among the Muslim clergy to the three-week war and occupation by US forces.

Spirits were high at the Al-Hikma mosque in the poor Shiite Muslim suburb of Sadr City, formerly Saddam City, where some 50,000 locals jammed the mosque and surrounding streets patrolled by Kalashnikov-wielding guards.

Sheikh Mohammed Fartusi did not name the United States in his sermon. But he said the Shiites, who constitute a majority in the northern suburb, would not accept a brand of democracy "that allows Iraqis to say what they want but gives them no say in their destiny.

"This form of government would be worse than that of Saddam Hussein," he told the first Friday prayers to be held at the mosque since the 1999 riots sparked by the assassination of the imam, Mohammed Sadeq Sadr.

Fartusi urged the faithful to follow the dictates of the Shiite "Hawza," the council of senior clergymen.

He spelled out a four-point code of conduct including a ban on music and the imitation of the western "infidels," the obligation for women to wear a veil and the primacy of Islamic over tribal law.

No major incidents were reported in the Friday prayers, which were held as Iraqis were still trying to find their footing under US occupation in a chaotic post-war environment.

If they initially gave a cautious welcome to the US troops who took over Baghdad nine days ago, Iraqis have been increasingly critical of the failure to quickly restore order and basic services such as water and electricity.

Political jockeying is also intensifying with scores of parties elbowing for position, self-proclaimed governors and mayors floating through the landscape and US military officials keeping a tight lid on events.

Saddam's Iraq was a secular country but since his demise the Shiites have become a vocal force and were preparing for a long-suppressed celebration that could turn into a political convention.

Tens of thousands of Shiites were expected in the holy city of Karbala, one of their holiest shrines, 80 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of here, to mark the death of Hussein, grandson of the prophet Mohamed, in battle in the year

The commemoration, which will culminate Tuesday, will also provide an opportunity for the Shiites to flex their new political muscle.

Sheikh Kaazem al-Abahadi al-Nasari told thousands of worshippers at Hussein's mausoleum, "We reject this foreign occupation, which is a new imperialism. We don't want it anymore."

He added, "We don't need the Americans. They're here to control our oil. They're unbelievers, but as for us, we have the power of faith," he said.

The head of the Supreme Assembly of Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the Iran-based Shiite group, has called for "a political regime guaranteeing liberty, independence and justice for all Iraqis under the reign of Islam."

Only a small group of the hardiest Iraqis turned out for Friday prayers last week, with looters and vandals roaming the streets two days after Saddam's rule collapsed under the pressure of a three-week US military offensive.

Since then, anger has grown on the streets of this city of five million people where power has been out for two weeks, most shops are still closed and hospitals are only beginning to reopen.

Adding to the unease is a yawning political vacuum here. Retired US general Jay Garner, the designated civil administrator for Iraq, has yet to make his presence felt in Baghdad; nor is there any clear US or Iraqi spokesman here.

The reconstruction effort has so far been piloted by the US marines, who are more geared to combat than civilian affairs. But military sources said the marines would be out of here by Tuesday.

"The order was issued to leave the city no later than April 22. Some are leaving today, others by the 19th, then next week it will become the army's show," said one US public affairs officer, who declined to be named.

A 30,000-strong task force from the Fourth Infantry Division is expected to flow into Iraq from Kuwait over the coming days to ensure security is re-established across the country.

The US army, which has already deployed its Third Infantry Division here, made its first appearance in a civil role Wednesday as a senior officer met with local leaders and police officials to discuss the security situation.

Unlike the marines, the army is traditionally responsible for civil affairs, including restoration of security, water and electricity.

SPACE.WIRE