BAGHDAD (AFP)--Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Wednesday he backed efforts to disband the feared Mahdi Army militia of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al- Sadr.
"We consider the Sadr movement a respectful organization and I work continuously to see that they are part of the government," Talabani told reporters in Baghdad.
"I hope they respond to the demand of all political factions to disband the Jaish al-Mahdi (Mahdi Army). We will take all efforts to convince them and we have decided to hold meeting with them to discuss the issue."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, in an interview with U.S. television network CNN broadcast Monday, said an ultimatum had been given to Sadr to disband his militia which is currently engaged in fierce fighting with security forces.
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