Sadr balks at cease-fire extension

BAGHDAD, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Moqtada Sadr said the cleric wasn't committed to extending the Mahdi Army cease-fire in Iraq in the face of increased attacks on the group.

Sadr's spokesman, Salah al-Ubaidi, said increased attacks on supporters makes it hard to imagine the six-month cease-fire will be renewed when it expires at the end of February, the Iraqi television network Alsumaria reported Wednesday.

Ubaidi said the security situation depended on U.S.-led efforts targeting al-Qaida operatives.

Officials with the Sadrist party said Monday they expected Sadr to extend a cease-fire in Iraq for six months but party officials called for a reversal of that decision, citing the growing number of attacks on, and arrest of, Mahdi Army members.

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