NAJAF, Iraq (AFP) - Iraqis must not allow foreigners to draw up their new "Islamic" constitution, an Iran’s envoy to Iraq said Saturday.

"You are in the phase of writing an Islamic constitution and the Shiite leadership in this country is aware of the complexity of this period and the responsibilities," said Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Taskhiri in this holy city.

"You are in the process of writing the future of the country and you must not allow foreigners to write it," he said at the opening of a book fair here.

Iraq's top Shiite dignitary, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, has rejected the arcane system of indirect selection by caucus announced two weeks ago to put a caretaker government in place by June next year.

The plan, which was outlined in a November 15 agreement between the U.S.-installed council and the coalition, also provided for the drafting of a basic law by end-February 2004 and the selection of a transitional assembly by end-May 2004 ahead of the caretaker government's formation.