Thousands of men gathered at a major interchange in Baghdad yesterday, waving banners demanding democratic elections and shouting their support for Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq?s most revered Shi?ite cleric, who has insisted that polls are held to pick a sovereign Iraqi government by the end of June. ?Just as there are elections in Europe and America there should be elections here,? said one of the demonstrators, Abu Qarar al Bahadiri. ?America says it is democratic and brings freedom to countries. Well then it should bring us elections. Especially as we lived through 35 years of darkness, we need to have an election that represents the people.?

The United States has promised to hand back power to Iraqis by end-June but does not plan to hold polls first, saying there is not enough time to organise them. It wants to hold regional caucuses to select a transitional assembly that will pick the sovereign government. Elections would follow in 2005.

Sistani has spearheaded opposition to the U.S. plan. He says Iraqis must chose their own leaders, and many in the country?s majority Shi?ite community and beyond agree with him. Protests in support of his stance have been held across the country, and more are planned.

Meanwhile, Top Iraqi, U.S. and United Nations? officials were due to meet in New York at the United Nations yesterday to discuss the plan and the growing public dissatisfaction in Iraq with Washington?s political vision.

The obvious support for Sistani has rattled Iraq?s U.S. governor, Paul Bremer, enough to make him agree to review the plan for choosing a transitional government, though he maintains polls will not be held before the June 30 deadline. Many Iraqis, especially Shi?ites who make up about 60 percent of the 26 million population, are concerned that leaders appointed to a transitional government by regional caucuses will not reflect the nation.

?Our future, our fate lies in elections, not in appointing a government that doesn?t represent the people,? Sistani supporter Ahmad Hadi said. ?We are just asking for free elections, for real democracy.? Until now pro-Sistani demonstrations have been peaceful. The cleric rarely makes public statements, but supporters have been circulating warnings that he may issue a fatwa, or edict, to oppose the Americans if they do not give in.

Fiona O?Brien