Iraqi Shi'ite leader in US for cancer treatment

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of Iraq's biggest Shi'ite Party, is in the United States for lung cancer treatment, The Washington Post said today.

Hakim arrived in Houston on Thursday to meet with specialists at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, the paper said, citing US officials.

''US officials said the cleric, 57, has been found to have lung cancer,'' it said.

Hakim heads the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, which is the biggest party in Iraq's Shi'ite-dominated government. He met with US President George W. Bush in the White House in December.

Hakim's party was founded in Iran and he lived there for years before the 2003 US-led invasion toppled President Saddam Hussein.

In Crawford, Texas, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said the US government provided transportation for Hakim to get to the United States for medical assistance. He had no details on Hakim's condition or where he was being examined.

''I can confirm that the administration gave assistance to al-Hakim to get there,'' Fratto said. ''We fully expect to work with al-Hakim and his party in the future.'' The Post said ''Vice President Dick Cheney played a role in arranging for Hakim to see US military doctors in Baghdad, who made the original diagnosis, and for the current medical treatment in Houston.'' Reuters NC VP0024

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