Moqtada Sadr to extend cease-fire

BAGHDAD, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Officials with the political party of Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr said Monday it was expected he would extend a cease-fire in Iraq for six more months.

Sadr called on all armed activity by his Mahdi Army to end last August following a surge in sectarian killings.

Sadr made earlier statements saying he would fire any official who violated the cease-fire. A source in his Sadrist Movement party said he would announce an extension in the coming days, AlSumaria reported Monday.

The same source said party officials were considering transforming the Mahdi Army into a humanitarian organization.

Some party officials, however, said the rhetoric reflects a split in the movement as the extension runs counter to earlier pledges to boycott the work of the central government of Iraq.

A media official with the Sadrist party said some party officials, citing increased attacks on and arrests of Mahdi Army members, are calling for a reversal of the pending decision.

The official also said some party members were worried the move was a sign of a broader conspiracy to liquidate the group, AlSumaria said.