Top Iraqi cleric calls for wider war against Islamic State

CAIRO (Reuters) - Iraq's most influential Shi'ite cleric called for the expansion of the global war against Islamic State on Friday, a day after the prime minister said he would welcome Russian airstrikes against the group on Iraqi soil. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who has a huge following and can often influence government thinking, was speaking through an aide after nationally-televised Friday prayers. (Reporting by Baghdad bureau, Writing by Michael Georgy, Editing by Angus MacSwan)