Iraqi cleric proud to be outlaw

2004-04-05 17:12

Kufa - A close aide of Shiite Muslim radical leader Moqtada Sadr said the Iraqi cleric was "proud" to be an outlaw after United States civil administrator Paul Bremer branded him outside the law.

"If Bremer means that Sayed Moqtada is an outlaw according to the US laws, then I'm proud of it," said Sadr aide Sheikh Qais al-Khazaalie, quoting the cleric after a meeting.

"If he means that Sayed Moqtada is an outlaw according to sharia (Islamic law) and the laws we know, then Bremer knows nothing about these laws and it is he who violates these laws," he said.

"We reject all kinds of occupation and hegemony. Everything is going to be changed."

The aide said Sadr was staying at the Kufa shrine just outside the Shiite holy city of Najaf, where his militiamen were protecting him.

"Moqtada is now in Kufa Mosque, spending almost all his time reading the Holy Qu'ran and doing some prayers," he said.

Launched violent protests

"We will continue seeking peaceful ways of resistance and will not do anything that breaks the rule... Our methods will be strikes and other peaceful ways that terrorise them."

Earlier, Bremer pledged that US forces would stop Sadr from trying to seize authority after his followers launched violent protests across the nation.

"We have a group under Moqtada al-Sadr that has basically placed itself outside the legal authorities, the coalition and Iraqi officials," Bremer said.

"He is attempting to establish his authority in the place of the legitimate authority. We will not tolerate this.

"We will reassert the law and order which the Iraqi people expect," Bremer told a national security meeting.

Eight US and one Salvadoran soldier have been killed in the fighting alongside at least 46 Iraqis.

- AFP