Sadr denies plans to rejoin government, may call for new elections

Nouri al-Maliki, Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, Moqtada al-Sadr,
Harith al-Dhari and Massoud Barzani

BAGHDAD, Iraq - An American-led initiative to sideline militant cleric Muqtada al-Sadr by bolstering support for his political rivals has gained little traction here and may even have strengthened al-Sadr's hand, according to interviews Friday with several Iraqi politicians and clerics involved in the talks...

Al-Sadr's supporters appear unintimidated by U.S. proposals for a new coalition. On Friday, a al-Sadr spokesman in Najaf said the cleric had declined to meet with a delegation of senior Shiite officials at his home there. Waleed al-Zamali also denied reports that al-Sadr had agreed to end his boycott of the government...

A key al-Sadr adviser told al Jazeera television that al-Sadr is contemplating calling for early elections. Many here believe that al-Sadr would win additional seats in the parliament if elections were held now.

Read the entire article at the San Jose Mercury News

Related Link:
Sources: Sistani opposes U.S.-backed anti-Sadr coaltion

Related Link:
Spokesman: U.S. Ambassador seeks meeting with al-Dhari, sends request through back channels

Related Link:
New Iraqi political alliance hits snag over Sadr

Related Link:
Iraqi Shi'ite leaders head to Najaf to avert crisis

Related Link:
Report: Shia leadership agrees deal over sectarian killers

Related Link:
Iraqi Factions Try to Undercut a Plan to Isolate Sadr

Related Link:
Report: Sadr to end government boycott, meets with Shi'ite coalition this weekend

Related Link:
Report: Sadr considers 'unilateral' one-month cease fire

Related Link:
Shi'ite coalition meets with Sistani

Related Link:
Shi'ite officials press Maliki to tackle militias

Related Link:
Top Shiite Cleric Is Said to Favor a Coalition for Iraq

Related Link:
Iraqi government reshuffle leaves critics dissatisfied

Related Link:
White House: Maliki promises to target insurgents

Related Link:
Maliki reaches out to members of Saddam's army at reconciliation conference

Related Link:
Sources: Iraqi PM Weighs Political Realignment

Related Link:
Hashemi: US must reform Iraqi forces before leaving

Related Link:
Report: Maliki presented Bush with plan for Iraq takeover of Baghdad security

Related Link:
Analysis: Laying the Groundwork for a "Cabinet Reshuffle" in Iraq

Related Link:
Iraqi group seeks power shift

Related Link:
Iraq VP al-Hashemi criticizes Maliki government ahead of Bush meeting

Related Link:
Report: Maliki invited to join U.S.-backed anti-Sadr coalition

Related Link:
White House denies move to oust al-Maliki

Related Link:
Plans Under Way to Replace Iraq PM

Related Link:
Bush set to meet Iraqi Shiite leader with ties to Iran