Sadr urges Iraqis to unite behind his banned militia

[Barrett808]

KARBALA, Iraq (AFP) - Firebrand Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr urged Iraqis to unite behind his banned Mehdi Army militia and said it would free them from the US-led occupation.

"The army is for oppressed people fighting for their rights and holy institutions and is marching towards liberating you from occupation," he said in a signed message posted on a bulletin board outside the shrine of Imam Hussein in the holy city of Karbala.

"So my brothers unite and support each other and let us begin the liberation," said Sadr, who is wanted in connection with the murder of a rival, pro-US cleric last year.

He called for a popular uprising that would include all ethnic groups.

"The army is the people's army and I am just a member of the Iraqi people," said Sadr, who has also been holed up in the nearby holy city of Najaf since Tuesday.

(more)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040411/wl_mideast_afp/iraq_shiites_sadr_040411123236

[Ravy]

1. This won't end well. (n/t)