Iraq Qaeda-led group urges Sunnis to fight Shi'ites

[ECH1969]

An Iraqi militant group led by al Qaeda called on the country's Sunni Muslims to fight Shi'ites and said those who died in the fight would go to heaven.

In a statement by the Mujahideen Shura Council posted on the Internet, the group said: "O' Sunni folks: You have no option but to fight those who label as infidels the companions of your Prophet..." referring to Shi'ites.

The statement said the call comes after a rise in attacks on the Sunnis by Shi'ites who it accused of seeking to "eradicate Sunnis in Iraq and establish a rejectionist (Shi'ite) state to achieve the dreams of their clerics" in Iran.

It also said Shi'ites were backing the U.S.-led occupation forces.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L31455572.htm