Al-Sadr calls for 'fair' investigation (of Karbala clashes)

Source: Associated Press

Al-Sadr calls for 'fair' investigation

By BASSEM MROUE, Associated Press Writer
49 minutes ago

BAGHDAD - Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called Sunday
for the Iraqi government to open a "fair" investigation into last
week's deadly clashes surrounding a Shiite religious celebration
in Karbala, which many have blamed on his militia.

Al-Sadr's followers threatened to take unspecified measures
if the government refuses the demand. They also warned they
would halt a six-month suspension of Mahdi Army attacks if
U.S. and Iraqi forces continue operations against militia
members.

Al-Sadr announced the surprise six-month suspension of Mahdi
Army activities last Wednesday following the Karbala bloodshed,
which saw more than 50 people killed and hundreds injured, in
an apparent bid to deflect criticism.

Security officials said the trouble started when members of
al-Sadr's Mahdi Army confronted mosque guards affiliated with
the Badr Organization, allied with the Supreme Islamic Council
of Iraq.

-snip-

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070902/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq