Al-Sadr says militia will leave Najaf mosque

[robcon]

Al-Sadr seems to have capitulated to the demands of the interim government...

"BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr announced Wednesday his militia will leave the Imam Ali Shrine after a threat by the Iraqi government to "liberate" the holy site in Najaf.

In a letter from al-Sadr's office in Baghdad, the cleric said he agreed to demands Tuesday night by a delegation from the Iraqi National Conference that he and his forces leave the mosque, disband his Mehdi Army and "enter into the mainstream political process."

Delegates to the Baghdad conference cheered when the letter was read Wednesday, but some were quick to point out that questions remained -- including when the militiamen would withdraw from the mosque.

Also Wednesday, the delegates picked a 100-person council to advise and oversee the interim government, the caretaker body running Iraq until a transitional national assembly is elected in January.

The development came on the fourth day of the meeting involving more than 1,000 delegates from across the country..."

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/08/18/iraq.main/index.html

[amber dog democrat]

1. fall back and regroup

This is just a time out. They're not quitting. This is not going to end unti we're out of iraq. I am thinking there will be a "Tet" offensive - its just a matter of time.

[Moderator]

2. Please add your link and discuss here, thanks

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=759663