Iraq re-opens al-Sadr paper

2004-07-18 16:03

Baghdad - Iraq's interim prime minister issued a decree on Sunday reopening a controversial newspaper that had been closed by US officials in March, sparking a conflict between US forces and militants loyal to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.

The newspaper, Al-Hawza, was closed by US officials March 28 for allegedly inciting violence against coalition troops. Following the closure, al-Sadr's Madhi Army fought with US forces for two months in the southern holy city of Najaf and in Baghdad's Sadr City before a cease-fire was brokered.

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi ordered the paper reopened in an effort to show Allawi's "absolute belief in the freedom of the press," his office said in a statement.

The decision to close the newspaper also drew condemnation from some officials in the now-defunct Governing Council, who said it ran counter to talk of securing freedom for Iraqis.

- AP