“We appreciate that (the reform package), and hope these decisions are implemented in the near future,” said Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, in remarks delivered by his representative Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai in the holy city of Najaf on Friday.

The top cleric, however, said that Haider al-Abadi’s proposals do not address the judiciary system, which “is an important pillar in completing the package of reforms, and there cannot be true reform without it.”

The remarks came a week after Ayatollah Sistani called on Abadi to adopt “serious measures” against corruption in the Arab country, saying the “minor steps” already taken by the Iraqi government were not enough, Press TV reported.

Also on Friday, thousands of Iraqis took to the streets to express their support for Abadi’s anti-corruption bid.

Meanwhile, Iraqi President Fouad Masum said that he would personally supervise the process of the implementation of the reforms in the Arab country.