NAJAF, Iraq, May 20 (UPI) -- Rebel Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr is shifting tactics to reposition himself as a moderate in Iraq's ideological spectrum, it was reported Sunday.
Sadr, 33, a populist, is reaching out to a broad range of Sunni leaders, from politicians to insurgents, and expelling members of his Mahdi Army militia who target Sunnis, the Washington Post said.
Sadr's supporters are distancing themselves from the Shiite-led government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, which they have criticized as corrupt and inefficient, the Post said. Sadr also is encouraging moderates to join his movement, which now professes to be less anti-American and more nationalist.
"We want to aim the guns against the occupation and al-Qaida, not between Iraqis," said Ahmed Shaibani, 37, a cleric who leads Sadr's newly formed reconciliation committee.
Sadr controls the second-largest army in Iraq, after the U.S. military. He has the ability to influence political decision-making and to dash U.S. hopes for stability. He withdrew his six ministers from Iraq's cabinet last month, leaving him more free to challenge the government.
