May 12, 2004, 9:14 PM

Moqtada’s Al Mahdi Army Will Disband Soon

NAJAF, May 12 (MNA) -- After ten days of tense negotiations between the representatives of rebel cleric Moqtada al Sadr and tribal elders and religious authorities, an agreement was reached for ending the bloody clashes between the al Mahdi army and the U.S. forces.

The Najaf-based grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani has voiced his support for this agreement.

According to the agreement, Sadr’s charge on ordering the assassination of Abdullmajid Khu’i in April 2003 will be postponed until the new government takes office in Iraq.

The Al Mahdi army forces are going to leave the city and change from a military force to a political organization.

According to the agreement whose details will be released by the Najaf governor the occupation forces would retreat from around the holy city.

After Sadr’s loyalists leave the city, a group of tribal militia numbering 1000 would police the city under the supervision of Najaf governor and religious Shiite leaders.

The agreement has been signed by Sadr’s aids, Najaf governor, the representatives of Badr brigade affiliated to the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Islamic Action Party headed by Ayatollah Modaresi, Hezbo Da’wa officials and tribal elders.

MS/IS
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MNA

News ID 5765

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