Iraq's top Shiite cleric claims that an early election was the only way out of the country's current instability

Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, said Friday that an early election was the only way out of the country's current instability and that a new government will soon be established.

More than 450 people have been killed since a wave of widespread protests started on Oct. 1, mainly peaceful protesters, but also some members of the security forces. Protesters, most of them young, are calling for a reform of....