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By Raheem Salman and Ned Parker BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The most influential Shi'ite cleric in Iraq called on the country's leaders on Friday to choose a prime minister within the next four days, a dramatic political intervention that could hasten the end of Nuri al-Maliki's eight year rule. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, who commands unswerving loyalty from many Shi'ites in Iraq and beyond, said political blocs should agree on the next premier, parliament speaker and president before a newly-elected legislature meets on Tuesday. Sistani's intervention makes it difficult for Maliki to stay on as caretaker leader as he has since a parliamentary election in April. Sistani's message was delivered after a meeting of Shi'ite factions including Maliki's State of Law coalition failed to agree a consensus candidate for prime minister.
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