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Iraq Poll Fears Deepen as 2 Sistani Aides Killed
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two aides to Iraq (news - web sites)'s top Shi'ite leader Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani have been killed in separate attacks apparently aimed at inflaming sectarian conflict among Iraqis already divided on whether Jan. 30 polls should go ahead.

A Sistani representative said on Thursday gunmen killed cleric Mahmoud al-Madaen along with his son and four bodyguards. Madaen, Sistani's representative in the ancient town of Salman Pak south of Baghdad, was killed on Wednesday.

Another aide, Halim al-Mohaqeq, a cleric working in Sistani's office in Najaf, was also found dead on Wednesday.

"Sheikh Halim was found drowned in his own blood. Investigations are under way," leading Sistani representative Hamed al-Khafaf said.

Iraqi officials say attacks on Shi'ite targets in Iraq show Sunni Muslim insurgents want to inflame sectarian distrust, which divisions over the elections have already stoked....