Sadrists inch toward reconciliation

BAGHDAD, May 7 (UPI) -- The Iraqi National Security Council called on Moqtada Sadr's fighters and his Mehdi Army to honor legislation calling on political blocs to disarm.

Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani said in a letter from the three-member presidential council it was imperative to reach political reconciliation through peaceful dialogue, Voices of Iraq said.

The National Security Council in April called on all political parties to immediately lay down their weapons if they wanted to play a role in the October provincial elections.

Mashhadani reminded members of the Sadrist Movement, the party loyal to Sadr, it reached an agreement with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani to resolve their differences by peaceful means.

The speaker blamed "outlaw gunmen who use human shields" for civilian deaths in ongoing fighting in Sadr City noting "the only solution is to disarm" because Iraqi national forces are the only units authorized to carry weapons.

Meanwhile, Nassir al-Saadi, a lawmaker with the Sadrist Movement, said his party had reached out to Talabani to act as a mediator between Sadr and Baghdad.

"The Sadr bloc is ready to join negotiations … with the government to end the crisis," he added.

Saadi also told VOI Sadr is in Najaf "and any other news in this regard is not true."