Al-Sader involved in politics, calls for end to fighting

The Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadder announced yesterday his acceptance to join the current political process in Iraq, aiming at organizing public elections in the coming months and forming an elected President. He called on his supporters to halt fighting in all parts of Iraq.

One of al-Sader office officials in Baghdad, Sheikh Naem al-Kaabi said that al-Sader ordered halting confrontations in all Iraqi cities and to join the political project within the two coming days.

Meantime, One of the main aides of the Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sader called on members of al-Mahdi army led by al-Sader to halt the armed operations in all parts of Iraq.

Sheikh Ali Smeisem made this call to al-Mahdi army saying that Muqtada al-Sader is preparing to announce a comprehensive plan including a clear political program.

In a telephone call with al-Jazeera TV yesterday Smeisem said that due to the standing situation in Najaf and other cities, " we call on all members of al-Mahdi army to maintain cease fire, except in case of self- defense. They also called on them to be patient until the political program is announced. He also called on the Iraqi government to " be patient and maintain self control and withdraw the occupation forces to the cities and also the same is for the Iraqi army." Smeisem's call came at a time when intensive negotiations are being made between the Interim Iraqi government and the American forces on the one hand, and al-Sader supporters, on the other, in order to contain the tense situation in several Iraqi areas following achieving an agreement over Najaf.