Moqtada al-Sadr announces ceasefire in Iraq

Sadr announced yesterday that an order to stand down had been distributed to his loyalists following the deaths of more than 50 Shia Muslim pilgrims during sectarian fighting in the holy city of Karbala on Tuesday.

The surprise statement regarding his notorious Mahdi army, which is responsible for much of Iraq's sectarian blood-letting, not only caught British and American commanders off-guard but appeared to have surprised Baghdad officials too. Mowaffak al-Rubbaie, Iraq's national security adviser, said Baghdad would only welcome the move if Sadr's lieutenants stop attacks and their attempts to "blow up" the Iraqi government.

"I will see on the ground what is going to happen," he said. "It is good news if it is true. If it happens it will reduce violence in the country a great deal."

The militia has waged factional battles with rival Shia groups across Iraq in recent weeks. The extent of Shia against Shia fighting has raised questions over the 34-year-old cleric's grip over his loyalists. Sadr acted to dispel tensions hours after Baghdad was forced to impose a curfew on Karbala and order hundreds of thousands of worshippers out of the city.

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