"Tens of thousands turned out to give Abdul Aziz al-Hakim a jubilant welcome," his son Mohsen Hakim said after his father had arrived in the city, 300 kilometres (186 miles) southeast of Baghdad.

On Wednesday, some 20,000 people had greeted him in Al-Kut, the first time a leading member of SAIRI had visited a southern Iraqi city where the majority are Shiite Muslims.

SAIRI, the main Shiite opposition faction, boycotted the US-brokered meeting in Ur on Tuesday, in protest at the Americans having a say in negotiations over the new leadership.

The group did, however, call on Iraqis to gather in the southern city of Karbala this coming Tuesday and Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, grandson of the prophet Mohammad.

SAIRI leader Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir Hakim said they should gather on April 23 in the city, where the Shiite martyr was killed and buried in 680 AD.

Hussein was killed fighting for the right to lead all Muslims and his death was the final act in the schism between Shiite and Sunni Muslims that persists today.

"Ayatollah Hakim requested the faithful from all regions and cities of Iraq go to Karbala for the fortieth day of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein," SAIRI said in a statement.

The ayatollah, who has lived in exile in Tehran for more than 20 years, also said Iraqis in Karbala "should demand a government that will bring liberty, independence, and justice for all Iraqis under an Islamic regime".

Iraq is an overwhelmingly Muslim country, with members of the Shiite sect making up around 65 percent of the population of about 24 million, according to unofficial estimates.

SPACE.WIRE