Sadrists prepare SOFA protests

BAGHDAD, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Followers of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr called on his supporters to take to the streets in protest of the U.S. security arrangement with Baghdad.

Iraqi lawmakers Friday began considering a bilateral agreement to govern the U.S. presence in Iraq once the current U.N. mandate expires in December.

Hazem al-Aaraji with the Sadrist Movement, a parliamentary bloc holding 30 seats in the 275-member body, told the Iraqi daily newspaper Voices of Iraq that instructions were delivered to supporters on how to demonstrate in support of national solidarity.

"Instructions were made to demonstrators that it would be necessary to raise Iraqi flags and chant slogans that reject the occupation and express the unity of Iraq's people and land," he said.

Ahmed al-Massoudi, a Sadrist lawmaker, said Wednesday U.S. forces had closed the entrances to the Sadr City slum of Baghdad in anticipation of mass protests over the security arrangement.

Aaraji, however, said his group had received scores of protesters from surrounding provinces who were expected to take part in Saturday's demonstrations.

Sadr has been a longtime opponent of the U.S. presence in Iraq, though officials credit an earlier cease-fire declared by his Mehdi Army as contributing to recent calm. Sadr is believed to be in Iran furthering his clerical studies.