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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Shiite Cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr hanging it up, leaving politics. |
| 2014-02-17 |
| [Aypee] Proving once again that community organizing and politics simply do not mix. In the late Saturday statement, al-Sadr said his move was to "preserve the reputation of the al-Sadr (family)... and to put an end to all the wrongdoings that were conducted, or could be conducted, under their title." It did not explain further. "I announce here that I will not interfere in politics. There is no political entity that represents me anymore nor any position in parliament and government," it said. "Whoever acts against this will be subjected to legal and religious action." He also ordered all al-Sadr political offices to be closed down. The move did not appear to be expected. Al-Sadr officials could not be reached for contact. The movement announced a news conference, only to cancel it. |
| Posted by:Besoeker |
| #1 Maybe he's retiring to be kingmaker, 'above the fray', so to speak - Al-Sadr has made such announcements before, but the current declaration comes only two months before national parliamentary elections. Sadrists hold 40 out of 325 seats in the legislature, making them the largest single Shiite bloc, and hold six Cabinet seats. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2014-02-17 13:30 |