Friday, June 11, 2004
Al-Sadr says he will cooperate if leaders push to end occupation
Source: Associated Press - 06/11/04
The conciliatory tone by cleric Muqtada al-Sadr came during a sermon read by an aide to a congregation in Kufa, scene of recent fighting between his al-Mahdi Army militia and U.S. forces.
In the sermon, the fiery young cleric said, "I support the new interim government" and asked his followers to "help me take this society to the path of security and peace."
"Starting now, I ask you that we open a new page for Iraq and for peace," the message said.
[..]
In an interview Friday night with Al Arabiya television, Mr. al-Sadr's spokesman, Ahmed al-Shibani, said the cleric was ready for a dialogue with the interim government "on condition that it works to end the occupation and clearly announces to the Iraqi people and to the world that it rejects the occupation."
"It has to put a timetable for the end of the occupation," Mr. al-Shibani said. "This is the main and principled way to recognize this government and cooperate with it."
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