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Iraqi militia defy call to disarm Iraqi militia defy call to disarm
(10 minutes later)
The radical Shia Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr has defied a call by the Iraqi government for his powerful Mehdi Army militia to lay down its weapons.The radical Shia Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr has defied a call by the Iraqi government for his powerful Mehdi Army militia to lay down its weapons.
Arms would only be handed over to an Iraqi government willing to end the US occupation, his senior official in Basra, Hareth al-Ethari, told the BBC.Arms would only be handed over to an Iraqi government willing to end the US occupation, his senior official in Basra, Hareth al-Ethari, told the BBC.
Security forces have been trying to wrest control of the southern city and other Shia areas from the Mehdi Army.Security forces have been trying to wrest control of the southern city and other Shia areas from the Mehdi Army.
Fighting has claimed at least 200 lives across Iraq since Tuesday.Fighting has claimed at least 200 lives across Iraq since Tuesday.
US jets have carried out a number of air strikes in Basra, which they say are targeting militant positions.US jets have carried out a number of air strikes in Basra, which they say are targeting militant positions.
At least seven people were killed in one reported air strike in Basra overnight, according to relatives. Iraqi sources said the dead were all civilians but there was no confirmation from the US. Fighting in Basra has spread to more districts of the cityAt least seven people were killed in one reported air strike in Basra overnight, according to relatives. Iraqi sources said the dead were all civilians but there was no confirmation from the US.
US aircraft on Friday bombed Baghdad's Sadr City area, scene of some of the heaviest violence.US aircraft on Friday bombed Baghdad's Sadr City area, scene of some of the heaviest violence.
Fighting in Basra has spread to more districts of the cityReports say there has also been fresh fighting in the cities of Karbala, Hilla and Nasiriya, all with large Shia communities. Reports say there has also been fresh fighting in the cities of Karbala, Hilla and Nasiriya, all with large Shia communities.
Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Friday gave the Mehdi Army, which controls large parts of Basra, 10 days to lay down their arms in return for cash.Prime Minister Nouri Maliki on Friday gave the Mehdi Army, which controls large parts of Basra, 10 days to lay down their arms in return for cash.
He made the offer as an original three-day deadline for them to hand over guns expired.He made the offer as an original three-day deadline for them to hand over guns expired.
Haider al-Jabari, a Sadr official in the cleric's headquarters city of Najaf, confirmed there were orders not to surrender arms.Haider al-Jabari, a Sadr official in the cleric's headquarters city of Najaf, confirmed there were orders not to surrender arms.
"Sadr has told us not to surrender our arms except to a state that can throw out the [US] occupation," he told AFP news agency."Sadr has told us not to surrender our arms except to a state that can throw out the [US] occupation," he told AFP news agency.
The BBC's Crispin Thorold says this clearly means the Mehdi Army will not hand over its arms to a government led by Mr Maliki.The BBC's Crispin Thorold says this clearly means the Mehdi Army will not hand over its arms to a government led by Mr Maliki.
Maliki's vowMaliki's vow
Fighting in Basra has spread to more districts of the city.Fighting in Basra has spread to more districts of the city.
The Iraqi army is moving into areas in tanks and armoured vehicles, fighting fierce gun-battles with the back-up of American and British aircraft.The Iraqi army is moving into areas in tanks and armoured vehicles, fighting fierce gun-battles with the back-up of American and British aircraft.
Local people say the militiamen the Iraqi security forces are chasing are elusive, our correspondent reports.Local people say the militiamen the Iraqi security forces are chasing are elusive, our correspondent reports.
Mr Maliki has vowed that troops will not leave Basra until "security is restored".Mr Maliki has vowed that troops will not leave Basra until "security is restored".
"We will continue to stand up to these gangs in every inch of Iraq," he said on government television. "This is a decisive and final battle.""We will continue to stand up to these gangs in every inch of Iraq," he said on government television. "This is a decisive and final battle."