Forty-seven Iraqi political and religious parties have decided to boycott the general elections due in January in protest against the extended use of force throughout the country, a joint statement said on Wednesday. 

The reason for the move was "the (US-Iraqi) assaults in cities like Najaf, Karbala, Samarra, Sadr City, Adhmiya, and especially the genocide crimes in Fallujah," said the statement.

"These crimes prevent us from taking part in the political process going on under the control of occupation forces," added the statement, signed by the parties and groups, mainly Sunni factions led by the Muslim Clerics Association.

At least eight Shiite groups and one Christian party were also among them.

(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2004)