Shia cleric Al-Sadr returns to Iraq from exile

06/01/11 14:13 CET

world news

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Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has returned to Iraq after nearly four years of self-imposed exile in Iran.

Al-Sadr left his stronghold in Najaf in 2007.

His militia, the Mehdi Army, is known to have clashed several times with US soldiers after the 2003 invasion.

Minority Sunnis also accuse him of orchestrating sectarian violence.

Abu Mohammed, a Shiite Muslim from Sadr City, said he welcomed the preacher’s return to Iraq after a four-year absence.

“I call on Iraqis to support the government,” he said.

Al-Sadr’s political movement is a partner of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s new coalition.

It has 39 parliamentary seats and seven ministerial briefs.

The cleric is likely to insist that American forces keep their promise to withdraw from Iraq by the end of 2011.

More about: Iraq, Religion

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