Iraq's radical Shiite cleric proposes 'peace code'

ADDS NAME OF NEIGHBORHOOD - Iraqi security forces gather the scene of a car bomb attack in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. A wave of bombings ripped across Baghdad on Thursday morning killing and wounding hundreds of people, Iraqi officials said, in the worst violence Iraq has seen for months. The bloodbath comes just days after American forces left the country. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

ADDS NAME OF NEIGHBORHOOD - Iraqi security forces gather the scene of a car bomb attack in the Karrada neighborhood of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. A wave of bombings ripped across Baghdad on Thursday morning killing and wounding hundreds of people, Iraqi officials said, in the worst violence Iraq has seen for months. The bloodbath comes just days after American forces left the country. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

(AP) ? Iraq's anti-American Shiite cleric has launched an initiative calling for peaceful coexistence among all Iraqis after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

Muqtada al-Sadr, whose militiamen were blamed for sectarian killings during the worst years of Iraq's violence, is seeking to assert his political weight in post-U.S. troops Iraq.

The initiative comes as a government crisis has strained ties between two main Muslim sects, Sunnis and Shiites to the breaking point, and just two days after a terrifying wave of Baghdad bombings killed 69 people and wounded nearly 200.

Al-Sadr's associates on Saturday handed out to the media his 14-point "peace code" proposal. It warns against spilling Iraqi blood and urges respect for all religions, sects and ethnic groups.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

BAGHDAD (AP) ? Iraq's anti-American Shiite cleric has launched an initiative calling for peaceful coexistence among all Iraqis after the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.

Muqtada al-Sadr, whose militiamen were blamed for sectarian killings during the worst years of Iraq's violence, is seeking to assert his political weight in post-U.S. troops Iraq.

The initiative comes as a government crisis has strained ties between two main Muslim sects, Sunnis and Shiites to the breaking point, and just two days after a terrifying wave of Baghdad bombings killed 69 people and wounded nearly 200.

Al-Sadr's associates on Saturday handed out to the media his 14-point "peace code" proposal. It warns against spilling Iraqi blood and urges respect for all religions, sects and ethnic groups.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2011-12-24-ML-Iraq/id-a751d9447e0441479db1a2c363d569db

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