24 killed in Iraqi bombings, shooting
(AP)
Updated: 2006-08-08 19:28 The public positions taken by al-Maliki and Talabani signal serious
differences between Iraqi politicians and both US and Iraqi military officials
on how to restore order and deal with armed groups, many of which have links to
political parties.
Speaking to reporters Monday, Casey made no mention of al-Sadr but said he
had discussed plans with Talabani to bring "fundamental change to the security
situation in Baghdad" before Ramadan, which begins in late September.
Al-Sadr has risen to become a major figure in the Shiite community and a
pillar of support for al-Maliki. The prime minister's apology and criticism of
the US forces may have helped placate al-Sadr, who on Monday urged his followers
to show restraint.
In a statement read at all Mahdi Army offices, al-Sadr urged his militiamen
to be "calm and patient, and avoid being drawn into civil war," said the
cleric's aide, Mohammed al-Fartousi.
He said al-Sadr urged the militiamen to purge all those who bring the Mahdi
Army into disrepute. They should also "denounce the kidnapping of Iraqis,
denounce destruction of mosques and denounce killing of innocent people," said
his aide, Mohammed al-Fartousi.
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