"BAGHDAD --The leader of Iraq's largest Shiite political party has left for the United States for medical checkups, an official at his office said Friday.
Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim flew to the United States on Wednesday, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media. He released no other details.
Al-Hakim, re-elected last week as leader of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, is not known to be suffering any health problems, but he is a heavy smoker. He addressed a news conference May 12 at the end of a two-day conference of his party, founded in neighboring Iran in the early 1980s.
Al-Hakim, who has led his party since 2003, is believed to be in his late 50s or early 60s.
He had a White House meeting with President Bush in December."
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