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Sadr supporters set for protest Iraqi Shias prepare for protests
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of supporters of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are converging on the holy city of Najaf to hold mass protests. Thousands of supporters of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr are converging on the holy city of Najaf to hold mass demonstrations.
Mr Sadr has called for a million-strong demonstration to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Baghdad's fall. Mr Sadr has called for a million-strong protest to coincide with the fourth anniversary of Saddam Hussein's fall.
The protesters will demand the withdrawal of coalition troops.The protesters will demand the withdrawal of coalition troops.
The cleric's call came on another day of violence in Iraq. A blast in Mahmudiya killed 18 people, while five more died in a Baghdad car bomb attack. A 24-hour ban on movement by all vehicles, for fear of car bomb attacks on the anniversary, is being imposed in Baghdad from 0500 (0100 GMT) on Monday.
On Sunday, a blast in Mahmudiya killed 18 people, while five more died in a Baghdad car bomb attack.
The US military, meanwhile, said that six of its soldiers were killed on Sunday, including four in Baghdad.The US military, meanwhile, said that six of its soldiers were killed on Sunday, including four in Baghdad.
A 24-hour ban on movement by all vehicles, for fear of car bomb attacks, is being imposed in the capital from 0500 (0100 GMT) on Monday.
'Your archenemy''Your archenemy'
Moqtada al-Sadr called for the mass protest in a statement on Sunday.Moqtada al-Sadr called for the mass protest in a statement on Sunday.
"In order to end the occupation, you will go out and demonstrate," the fiery cleric said."In order to end the occupation, you will go out and demonstrate," the fiery cleric said.
Mr Sadr is not expected to attend the protestsMr Sadr is not expected to attend the protests
He ordered Iraqis not to "walk alongside the occupiers, because they are your archenemy" and to turn all their efforts on US forces.He ordered Iraqis not to "walk alongside the occupiers, because they are your archenemy" and to turn all their efforts on US forces.
Thousands of Shias responded by heading to Najaf in buses and cars, with the Baghdad-Najaf road reportedly packed. Demonstrators had been told to carry the Iraqi flag, reports said.Thousands of Shias responded by heading to Najaf in buses and cars, with the Baghdad-Najaf road reportedly packed. Demonstrators had been told to carry the Iraqi flag, reports said.
"It will be an Iraqi demonstration in the name of all Iraqis," a representative of Mr Sadr told the French news agency AFP."It will be an Iraqi demonstration in the name of all Iraqis," a representative of Mr Sadr told the French news agency AFP.
US-backed Iraqi troops have been clashing with militias loyal to Mr Sadr in Diwaniya, south of Baghdad, for the last three days.US-backed Iraqi troops have been clashing with militias loyal to Mr Sadr in Diwaniya, south of Baghdad, for the last three days.
'Nationalist chord''Nationalist chord'
Senior American officers have described the cleric as the biggest threat to Iraq's stability, says the BBC's Jonathan Charles in Baghdad.Senior American officers have described the cleric as the biggest threat to Iraq's stability, says the BBC's Jonathan Charles in Baghdad.
They accuse his Mehdi army militia of carrying out killings, fuelling the sectarian divide between Shias and Sunnis.They accuse his Mehdi army militia of carrying out killings, fuelling the sectarian divide between Shias and Sunnis.
Moqtada al-Sadr has not been seen in public since the start of a US-led security crackdown in Baghdad two months ago, our correspondent adds.Moqtada al-Sadr has not been seen in public since the start of a US-led security crackdown in Baghdad two months ago, our correspondent adds.
The Americans claim he has fled to Iran but he still remains a powerful figure in Iraq, preparing for the moment when Iraqis eventually take full control of their country.The Americans claim he has fled to Iran but he still remains a powerful figure in Iraq, preparing for the moment when Iraqis eventually take full control of their country.
In the US, Senator Joseph Lieberman said that Mr Sadr's words were proof the US troop surge was working.In the US, Senator Joseph Lieberman said that Mr Sadr's words were proof the US troop surge was working.
"He is not calling for a resurgence of sectarian conflict. He's striking a nationalist chord," he said. "He's acknowledging that the surge is working.""He is not calling for a resurgence of sectarian conflict. He's striking a nationalist chord," he said. "He's acknowledging that the surge is working."
Up to 30,000 new US troops have been assigned to Iraq for a security crackdown on militia groups that began two months ago.Up to 30,000 new US troops have been assigned to Iraq for a security crackdown on militia groups that began two months ago.