LOC16:37
13:37 GMT
BAGHDAD, March 30 (KUNA) -- The Iraqi government welcomed Sunday the orders
issued by Shiite religious cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr to his followers in the
Mahdi Army and the Sadrist bloc to put down their arms.
Spokesman for the Iraqi government Ali Al-Dabbag, in a press release, said
the government welcomed this call which would serve to avoid bloodshed, adding
that this reflected Al-Sadr's keenness for maintaining the safety of civilians.
Security is the responsibility of the government, and the government does
not target a certain movement or faction, he stressed, hoping that the Sadrist
bloc would support the government. (pickup previous)
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