Al-Mahdi army hands over its weapons, Falluja negotiates the government

A round of talks due to be held on Sunday in Baghdad between Iraqi officials and representatives for Falluja people was postponed. The talks are over spreading the authority of the Interim Iraqi government on the city before the elections in January 2005.

The talks are scheduled to be resumed later today by a meeting between a delegation representing the people of Falluja and the Minister of Tourism Hazem al-Shalaan in order to put the final touches on the peace agreement between the two sides. The Iraqi government announced by its minister of state for security affairs Qasem Dawoud the suspension of air raids on the city for three days until the negotiations are completed.

Meantime, Dawoud stressed in a press conference in Baghdad yesterday that al-Mahdi army will start today handing over its weapons.

He explained that three centers to hand over these weapons were chosen in the city before the handing over operations will be completed within five says during which the government will pay financial awards for that.

He indicated that the interim government will start shortly releasing all detainees of al-Sader trend except those who committed criminal acts.