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| Sadr declares new Iraq ceasefire | Sadr declares new Iraq ceasefire |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has ordered the renewal of the ceasefire his powerful militia has been observing for the past six months, reports say. | Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr has ordered the renewal of the ceasefire his powerful militia has been observing for the past six months, reports say. |
| He announced in August that his Mehdi Army would not attack rival armed groups or American forces in Iraq. | He announced in August that his Mehdi Army would not attack rival armed groups or American forces in Iraq. |
| This was widely credited with reducing sectarian tensions and contributing to the recent overall drop in violence. | This was widely credited with reducing sectarian tensions and contributing to the recent overall drop in violence. |
| US military officials have publicly recognised this contribution as helping to stabilise parts of Iraq. | US military officials have publicly recognised this contribution as helping to stabilise parts of Iraq. |
| Other key developments that have helped reduce the violence have been the surge of US troops in and around Baghdad, and the emergence of US-backed Sunni militia who have taken on al-Qaeda in Iraq in western areas of the country. | |
| The continuation of the ceasefire is expected to be announced at mosques connected to Mr Sadr at Friday prayers. | The continuation of the ceasefire is expected to be announced at mosques connected to Mr Sadr at Friday prayers. |
| Correspondents say the decision to renew the ceasefire will be unpopular with some of the Mehdi Army, some of whom have been continuing to fight. | |
| The Americans have been pursuing what they call rogue elements, who - they say - are armed and encouraged by Iran. |