Firebrand Shiite Cleric al-Sadr Voices Support For Sunni Protesters Angry At Iraq’s Government

[Purveyor]

Source: Associated Press

By Associated Press, Updated: Tuesday, January 1, 8:41 AM

BAGHDAD — A top anti-American Shiite cleric lent support Tuesday to Sunni protesters who have been rallying against Iraq’s Shiite-dominated central government, increasing pressure on the leadership in Baghdad.

Hard-line religious leader Muqtada al-Sadr told reporters in the Shiite holy city of Najaf that the demonstrators have the right to protest as long as they are peaceful. He stopped short of calling for a wider uprising like those that have rippled across the region over the past two years, but warned of further unrest if demands on the street are not met.

“Beware of the Arab Spring in Iraq,” the firebrand cleric said in a warning to the power-sharing government led by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite.

Thousands of protesters have been holding rallies in the western desert province of Anbar and other Sunni strongholds for more than a week.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/firebrand-shiite-cleric-al-sadr-voices-support-for-sunni-protesters-angry-at-iraqs-government/2013/01/01/a0eb081a-5405-11e2-89de-76c1c54b1418_story.html

[TwilightGardener]

1. He's still alive--I'll be damned.

[kelliekat44]

2. Better leader than Bohner. nt

[dembotoz]

3. uh oh

[Comrade Grumpy]

4. Is "Firebrand Shiite Cleric" his first name?

'Cuz that's how every news media article IDs him.

He really does have a first name: Moktada

[alcibiades_mystery]

5. Remember when this guy was Public Enemy #1 in Iraq?

He led the Shia uprising that killed upwards of 150 US and coalition (British) troops in the Spring and Summer of 2004.

Tra la la.