Prominent Iran-backed Iraqis have called on the government in Baghdad to sever ties with Saudi Arabia over its execution of prominent Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, al-Sumaria TV says.
"It's a big crime that has opened the gates of hell," said Qassim al-Araji, according to the channel's website on Saturday.
Al-Araji, a leader of the Badr Organisation, a Shi'ite paramilitary group with a political wing, also called on Baghdad to cut diplomatic ties "immediately."
Another Iran-backed militia group, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, accused Saudi Arabia of seeking to fuel Sunni-Shi'ite strife, according to the TV's website. "What the use of having a Saudi embassy in Iraq," it asked.
Meanwhile, a prominent Iraqi lawmaker with ties to Iran said the execution of Nimr served the interests of Islamic State, also known as Daesh.
"The execution of Sheikh al-Nimr is a service to Daesh, which is betting on expanding by igniting sectarian wars," said Humam Hamoudi, a prominent Shi'ite politician and member of the powerful Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) party.
