Sunday, May 4, 2008

Sadr calls on his supporters to lay down their weapons.

The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Wall Street Journal's world-wide newsbox all lead with Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr calling on his followers to put down their weapons and bring to an end six days of clashes with Iraqi and U.S. forces. In exchange, Sadr demanded that the Iraqi government stop "illegal and haphazard raids," and free his followers who are now imprisoned but haven't been convicted of any crimes. Sadr also demanded the government help bring back "the displaced people who have fled their homes as a result of military operations." The LAT says the six days of fighting have killed more than 350 people.

[more ...]