LOC22:02
19:02 GMT
(With MIL-IRAQ-SADR-ARMS series)
BAGHDAD, March 30 (KUNA) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki, following
Muqtada Al-Sadr's call on his supporters to end military engagement with the
government forces, vowed Sunday not to legally pursuit all those who lay down
their arms.
"In appreciation of the statement and initiative of Muqtada Al-Sadr, we
have instructed a ban on legal questioning on whoever lays down arms and
withdraws," Al-Maliki said in a statement.
He said Al-Sadr's call was "positive and it is a step in the right
direction."
Al-Maliki said the military operation in Basra was not targetting a
specific political party including Al-Sadr's, but against the outlawed. (end)
ahh.bs
KUNA 302202 Mar 08NNNN