Iraq Shiite cleric vows Syria support
DAMASCUS, Syria, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Iraqi Shiite officials said Saturday maverick cleric Moqtada Sadr will place his Shiite militia at Syria's disposal if Damascus was attacked by the West.
The head of Sadr's office in Syria, Sheikh Raed Kazimi, told United Press International that Syrian President Bashar Assad will confer with Sadr later in the day for the second time since the Shiite cleric started a visit to Syria earlier this week.
"The visit is a hundred percent successful and this is a victory for Syria because Sayyed Sadr defied U.S. and Israeli will by declaring that al-Mehdi Army will defend Syria in case it was attacked," Kazimi said, in reference to Sadr's militia.
He expressed appreciation for the warm and popular welcome that Sadr received in Syria, where he also met members of the Damascus-based opposition Palestinian factions, in addition to representatives of the Iraqi community in Syria and Syrian clerics and businessmen.
Palestinian groups demanded during their meeting with Sadr Friday protection and care for Palestinian refugees in Iraq. They called for maintaining Iraq's stance opposed to recognizing the state of Israel and normalizing relations with it in a show of support for the Palestinian people.
Kazimi said Sadr will visit Lebanon after Syria, but did not specify when.
The head of Sadr's office in Syria, Sheikh Raed Kazimi, told United Press International that Syrian President Bashar Assad will confer with Sadr later in the day for the second time since the Shiite cleric started a visit to Syria earlier this week.
"The visit is a hundred percent successful and this is a victory for Syria because Sayyed Sadr defied U.S. and Israeli will by declaring that al-Mehdi Army will defend Syria in case it was attacked," Kazimi said, in reference to Sadr's militia.
He expressed appreciation for the warm and popular welcome that Sadr received in Syria, where he also met members of the Damascus-based opposition Palestinian factions, in addition to representatives of the Iraqi community in Syria and Syrian clerics and businessmen.
Palestinian groups demanded during their meeting with Sadr Friday protection and care for Palestinian refugees in Iraq. They called for maintaining Iraq's stance opposed to recognizing the state of Israel and normalizing relations with it in a show of support for the Palestinian people.
Kazimi said Sadr will visit Lebanon after Syria, but did not specify when.
posted by Marko at 2/11/2006 08:29:00 AM
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