FIREARMS AN ISSUE IN IRAQ.(MAIN)

Byline: HAMZA HENDAWI Associated Press

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's most influential Shiite Muslim cleric warned of ``grave problems'' if nothing is done to stem the proliferation of firearms in the country and blamed clashes between his supporters and followers of a radical cleric on the weakness of Iraq's U.S.-backed authorities.

Grand Ayatollah Ali Hussein al-Sistani, spiritual leader of most of Iraq's Shiite majority, also said in written statements to The Associated Press that there could be ``no substitute'' for a general election to choose delegates to a convention to draft a new constitution despite U.S. demands for a quicker selection process. The …