Moqtada al-Sadr returns to Iraq from Iran

NAJAF, Iraq, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Supporters greeted radical Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr as he returned Wednesday to Iraq after four years in Iran.

Sadr flew into Najaf, the holy Shiite stronghold, with a large group of bodyguards, The Washington Post reported. He had been living in Iraq since 2007 after President George W. Bush announced the surge policy.

A spokesman said Sadr is back in Iraq to stay. He said Sadr, who had been studying in Iran to become an ayatollah, would resume his studies in Najaf.

Sadr visited the shrine of Imam Ali, Mohammed's son in law, and his father's grave. Supporters also gathered outside his house.

Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was able to cobble together a unity government after nine months of stalemate when Sadr agreed to support him.

Sheik Al al-Kufi said Sadr would announce his plans soon for his role in Iraq.

Col. Barry Johnson, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Iraq, said Sadr's status is up to the Iraqi government when asked if the United States still had a warrant for his arrest.