Al-Sadr threatens to end cease-fire
Tue Apr 8, 8:35 AM ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080408/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_sadr
BAGHDAD - Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is demanding the Iraqi
government protect the public from "the booby traps and American
militias" or he may formally end the freeze he imposed seven months
ago on his Mahdi Army fighters.
The statement was being circulated to the press and public Tuesday as
U.S. and Iraqi troops stepped up their pressure on ****ite militiamen
in their Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City.
Al-Sadr also wants a timetable for the U.S. to leave Iraq.
Al-Sadr's cease-fire helped bring down violence but has been under
severe strain since fighting broke out last month in Basra and
Baghdad.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further
information. AP's earlier story is below.
NAJAF, Iraq (AP) -- Aides to Muqtada al-Sadr say the anti-American
****ite cleric is calling off a mass rally in Baghdad Wednesday.
Iraqi security forces are blocking al-Sadr's followers from traveling
to the capital from the southern ****ite heartland where he enjoys wide
sup****t.
Two aides in al-Sadr's office in the holy city of Najaf told The
Associated Press that the rally had been canceled. They spoke on
condition of anonymity pending an official announcement.
Al-Sadr had called for a "million-strong" protest to mark the fifth
anniversary of the capture of Baghdad by U.S. troops. It was seen by
many observers as a show of force in his confrontation with the
government over calls to disband his Mahdi Army militia.
