Iraq cleric 'calls for new start'
BBC ^ | 6/11/2004
Iraq cleric 'calls for new start' Radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has reportedly backed for the first time US moves to gradually hand powers over to an interim Iraqi government. The change of heart came in a sermon at Friday prayers in the town of Kufa, two weeks after the government was formed.
Mr Sadr, a firebrand whose militia has fought US forces since March, called for a new start and an end to conflict, according to witnesses.
But his supporters clashed with members of a pro-US faction in nearby Najaf.
Stones and shoes were thrown in the clash at the shrine of Imam Ali leaving several people injured and forcing the cancellation of Friday prayers.
Mr Sadr called upon the interim government to work to end the occupation according to a timetable set by Iraqi officials, reported a correspondent for Voice of Mujahidin radio present at the sermon. Mr Sadr added that the formation of the government was a good opportunity to bury past differences and "forge ahead toward the building of a unified Iraq".
There has not been any official reaction to Mr Sadr's conciliatory speech in Kufa, where he delivers fiery Friday sermons at the main mosque every week.
The US-led coalition accuses him of killing Abdul Majid al-Khoei, a moderate Shia leader shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Najaf battles
Hopes of bringing an end to the conflict with Mr Sadr's faction were not improved on Friday, when scuffles forced the closure of the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf for the first time during weekly congregational prayers since the US-led invasion in 2003.
On Wednesday night and Thursday Mr Sadr's followers had clashed with Iraqi police in Najaf - less than a week after police began patrols under a truce between the militia and US troops. At least six people were killed in the fighting, including police officers, militants and two civilians. Another 29 people were injured, including children.
On Friday morning hundreds of supporters of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri) marched towards the Imam Ali Shrine to express support for the truce.
Sadr supporters blocked their way, and fistfights broke out and missiles were thrown.
One top Sciri official was reportedly wounded in the head during the confrontation.
The area surrounding the sacred compound is still controlled by Sadr militiamen despite the week-old truce under which they have withdrawn from the rest of the city.
Story from BBC NEWS
BBC ^ | 6/11/2004
Iraq cleric 'calls for new start' Radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has reportedly backed for the first time US moves to gradually hand powers over to an interim Iraqi government. The change of heart came in a sermon at Friday prayers in the town of Kufa, two weeks after the government was formed.
Mr Sadr, a firebrand whose militia has fought US forces since March, called for a new start and an end to conflict, according to witnesses.
But his supporters clashed with members of a pro-US faction in nearby Najaf.
Stones and shoes were thrown in the clash at the shrine of Imam Ali leaving several people injured and forcing the cancellation of Friday prayers.
Mr Sadr called upon the interim government to work to end the occupation according to a timetable set by Iraqi officials, reported a correspondent for Voice of Mujahidin radio present at the sermon. Mr Sadr added that the formation of the government was a good opportunity to bury past differences and "forge ahead toward the building of a unified Iraq".
There has not been any official reaction to Mr Sadr's conciliatory speech in Kufa, where he delivers fiery Friday sermons at the main mosque every week.
The US-led coalition accuses him of killing Abdul Majid al-Khoei, a moderate Shia leader shortly after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Najaf battles
Hopes of bringing an end to the conflict with Mr Sadr's faction were not improved on Friday, when scuffles forced the closure of the Imam Ali shrine in Najaf for the first time during weekly congregational prayers since the US-led invasion in 2003.
On Wednesday night and Thursday Mr Sadr's followers had clashed with Iraqi police in Najaf - less than a week after police began patrols under a truce between the militia and US troops. At least six people were killed in the fighting, including police officers, militants and two civilians. Another 29 people were injured, including children.
On Friday morning hundreds of supporters of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (Sciri) marched towards the Imam Ali Shrine to express support for the truce.
Sadr supporters blocked their way, and fistfights broke out and missiles were thrown.
One top Sciri official was reportedly wounded in the head during the confrontation.
The area surrounding the sacred compound is still controlled by Sadr militiamen despite the week-old truce under which they have withdrawn from the rest of the city.
Story from BBC NEWS
