Iraqi government welcomes an order by Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to pull fighters off the streets.
By JERUSALEM POST STAFFiraq militants 224 88(photo credit: AP)
The Iraqi government has welcomed an order by Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to pull his fighters off the streets.
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Iraqi state TV in an interview that the decision is "positive and responsive."
Sunday's offer is detailed in a nine-point statement issued by his headquarters in Najaf.
Al-Sadr issued the order in a statement but he also called on the government to stop what he calls haphazard raids and to release security detainees who haven't been charged.
Sunday's agreement comes amid violent clashes that have broken out over a government crackdown in the southern city of Basra.
