One of Iraq's Most Powerful Leaders Dies of Lung Cancer

BAGHDAD - Abdul Aziz Hakim, 59, one of Iraq's most powerful leaders and prominent Shiite religious dynasties, died of lung cancer in a Tehran hospital. Hakim was a top member of the U.S. appointed Governing Council and was head of the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council.

Founded in the 1980's, the Supreme Council went on to oppose the regime of Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein. Hakim spent more than two decades living in exile.

Hakim was a theologian, always wearing a black turban and flowing robes of a senior Shiite cleric. Many thought he was involved in the killings of Sunnis by the Supreme Council's military wing, the Badr Organization, after the fall of Hussein.

After his brother, Mohammed Baqir Hakim, was assassinated in a car bombing in Najaf in 2003, Hakim took over the leadership of the Supreme Council. Tragically, his six other brothers were killed by Hussein's regime, and Hakim was imprisoned three times himself before fleeing to Iran in 1980.

Prime Minister Nouri Maliki issued a statement of condolences, describing Hakim as "a brother and a pillar of strength during the battle against the former regime. He was a foundation stone in the building of the new Iraq, and his death at this sensitive time is considered a great loss for Iraq."

His death coincides with elections in January, and a period of frenzied political negotiations. Hakim's son, Ammar Hakim, is the most likely successor but is not known to have the strength and stature of his father, so there will be other contenders.