Back in Iraq, Al Sadr adopts more moderate stance

The radical cleric struck a tone of unity for his country, asking his followers to give the newly formed government a chance to work for the national good in a speech after his return from Iran.

BAGHDAD // In his first public speech since returning from exile, Muqtada al Sadr yesterday told his followers to support Iraq's new government and join with other religious and ethnic groups to rebuild the war-ravaged country.

In front of thousands of loyalists gathered in the holy city of Najaf to hear him speak, the Shiite cleric began by treading a familiar path of anti-US and anti-Israeli rhetoric - even vowing to continue military operations against American troops in Iraq.

But, crucially, he then struck a moderate tone about the government, saying it had to be given a chance to work for the national good. He also addressed the recent bloody civil war that divided Sunnis and Shiites, instructing his followers to live in peace with their countrymen.

"The Iraqi government has been formed," he said. "If it serves the Iraqi people, and provides services, we will stand by it, not against it. All of us will be with the Iraqi government if it serves the Iraqi people. If it doesn't, there are political - only political - ways to reform the government."

In reference to the sectarian war, Mr al Sadr said the time had come for a new beginning.

"If the conflicts took place among brothers, let us forget this page and turn it forever, and live united in peace and security," he said.

Earlier in his brief speech, the cleric had urged the crowd to chant "No, no to America, no, no to Israel" and insisted that his movement, which fought a series of battles against the US military resulting in the issuance of a warrant for his arrest, remained true to the principle of resistance.

"We still resist the occupier, by military resistance, and all the means of resistance," he said, adding that "we are still fighters".

However, he underlined the Sadr movement would not target Iraqis, even in the security forces, and that he opposed a spate of recent assassinations.

"For the unity of Iraq, say after me: Yes, yes for Iraq! Yes, yes, for peace! Yes, yes for harmony!" he exhorted the crowd, which duly echoed the words.

Analysts in Baghdad said the speech marked the birth of a "new Muqtada", more statesman-like, openly engaged in the political process and pushing hard for national unity. They downplayed the mention of military resistance as a populist appeal to his largely uneducated supporters, saying it posed no real challenge to the government or US forces.

"This wasn't the same Muqtada we saw of 2005, or 2007," said independent political analyst Nizar Samaraie, in reference to the cleric's firebrand days when he headed the feared Mahdi Army militia in street wars with the US military, and against Sunni militants. It was also heavily implicated in death squad murders.

"Muqtada always has to curse the Americans, but the talk of resistance was just words. In truth the Mahdi Army has been disbanded and is no longer capable of significant attacks against them," Mr Samaraie said.

A Sunni from Baghdad, Mr Samaraie also welcomed Mr al Sadr's public demand for national unity. "The Sadrists are not a threat to the Sunnis anymore," he said. "Sadr has realised the mistakes of the past. Now the Sadrists are clear; they are on the political track."

The Sadr movement played a central role in the formation of the current Iraqi government, formed last month after more than half a year of political deadlock. Mr al Sadr finally threw his weight - and his 39 seats in parliament, won in the divisive March election - behind Nouri al Maliki, allowing the prime minister to claim a parliamentary majority and gain a second term of office.

During his first term as premier, Mr al Maliki had led military operations against the Mahdi Army, killing and detaining thousands of Sadrists in the process.

That now appears to be water under the bridge for Mr al Sadr. As part of his deal with Mr al Maliki, the Sadrists will get control of seven government ministries, making them firmly part of the establishment.

While the talk of military resistance may have been designed to appeal to his grassroots followers, the strong anti-US message was real, said Ahmed al Bahadili, another independent political analyst.

"His remarks are designed to show there is no way for the Americans to stay after the end of this year," he said.

Some 50,000 US troops remain in Iraq, officially in a non-combat role, although they have been involved in fighting alongside Iraqi forces. Under a security agreement between Baghdad and Washington all of the soldiers must withdraw by the end of this year.

"My conclusion from this speech is that Muqtada is smarter than he used to be," Mr al Bahadili said. "He addressed the street, the militants and the politicians, and told them all something that they want to hear. He has been learning during his years away."

Mr al Sadr returned to Iraq on Wednesday after three years studying in Qom, the centre of Shiite religious schooling in Iran.