Radical Mullah Al-Sadr to Call Truce, Turn the Course in Iraq

The Associate Press is reporting this afternoon that the radical Shiite cleric, Moktada al-Sadr, may be agreeing to end his threats on the Iraqi government and resume cooperation.

Radical Shiite leader Moktada al-Sadr may have agreed to return to Iraq's parliament with his following, and end his boycott. Al-Sadr and his followers began a boycott of the Iraqi government three weeks ago, when Maliki traveled to Amman, Jordan to meet with President Bush. At that time, the initial talks were cancelled when Maliki ran into resistance from radical factions in Iraq's fledgling government. Al-Sadr's traditional position is radically pro-Islamist caliphate, and radically anti-west. As it was such, he fought the cooperation between Maliki's government the U.S. and coalition, from the beginning of the new government's formation. Al-Sadr, who was dubbed "The Most Dangerous Man in Iraq" by Newsweek Magazine in November, is thought to control 30 seats in the 275-member parliament, but exercise influence over many others. In addition, he controls about 6 ministries. Recently, influential Shiites traveled to al-Sadr's base in Najaf, Iraq, to persuade him to rejoin the government, in the common goal of a united and stable Iraq. The AP is reporting that an agreement has been made, although official announcement confirming the action is still pending. (story by Mac)