BAGHDAD (AFP) — Iraq said on Friday that it hopes other armed groups will follow Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's decision to freeze his militia as Sunni Arabs expressed optimism the ban would reduce attacks on them.
The suspension of the dreaded Mahdi Army's activities was "an opportunity for other militias of different political affiliations" to lay down their arms and help reduce bloodshed in the country, the prime minister's office said.
On Wednesday, Sadr ordered the militia to suspend its activities for six months after allegations that it was involved in deadly firefights in the shrine city of Karbala during a major Shiite festival the previous day.
At least 52 people died and 300 were wounded in Tuesday's clashes between police and gunmen which forced authorities to abort a revered Shiite pilgrimage.
Sadr denied any role in the violence but quickly ordered a freeze on his militia.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's office said his decision would help in stabilising Iraq and be an example for other militant groups.
"The Sadr movement is an important political power in Iraq and will remain active in the political process," the premier's office said.
The statement was at pains to stress that Baghdad was not blaming Sadr's men for the Karbala carnage but only expecting them to "chase those elements who committed the crimes."
Over the past 18 months, the Mahdi Army has been accused of slaughtering Sunni Arabs since the brutal Shiite-Sunni sectarian conflict broke out in February 2006.
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