Militia to stay in Najaf shrine until 2005

[Dover]

Militia to stay in Najaf shrine until 2005


Tuesday 08 June 2004, 4:44 Makka Time, 1:44 GMT

Shia militiamen loyal to leader Muqtada al-Sadr have vowed not to withdraw from the most sacred shrine in the holy city of Najaf until a democratic Iraqi government takes power in January 2005.

"If America promises to handover sovereignty and Iraqis start to get what they need, the Mahdi Army will recognise the legitimate government," main al-Sadr spokesman Shaikh Ahmad Shaibani told AFP on Monday.

"The Mahdi Army will withdraw from the whole field if the Americans keep their promises and allow a democratic government. If we get real promises and real agreements, the issue can be addressed," he added.

On Sunday, the police chief of Najaf, 160kms south of Baghdad, said that a three-day ultimatum for the militiamen to abandon their stronghold next to the Imam Ali mausoleum would expire at midnight (20:00 GMT) on Monday.

The police chief also made clear the Mahdi Army would have to evacuate the shrine and threatened to "slaughter" any militiamen if Shia House, the umbrella group of religious, political and tribal leaders, failed to persuade the fighters to disperse. ..MORE >

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/9571D061-73D4-4F35-AF85-BFC27F8BAC51.htm

[Disturbed]

1. Hope they are comfy there.

"if the Americans keep their promises and allow a democratic government."

They will be staying there for the rest of their lives.