Iraq's Maliki says Nimr execution will topple Saudi government

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The execution of prominent cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr on Saturday will mark the end of Saudi Arabia's government, said Nuri al-Maliki, Iraq's former prime minister and a prominent politician with ties to Iran. "We strongly condemn these detestable sectarian practices and affirm that the crime of executing Sheikh al-Nimr will topple the Saudi regime as the crime of executing the martyr (Mohammed Baqir) al-Sadr did to Saddam (Hussein)," said Maliki, referring to another prominent Shi'ite cleric killed in 1980. (Reporting by Omar Fahmy; Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Catherine Evans)