VP Hashemi: U.S. should classify Sadr militia as terrorists

Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni, is one of two Iraqi Vice-Presidents. Yesterday's surprise visit by Secretary of State Rice was said to have been focused on the U.S. desire to go after Sadr and his forces. Sadr is a political ally of Prime Minister Maliki.

DUBAI, Feb 18 (Reuters) - The United States should classify radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's Mehdi Army militia as a "terrorist" group, Iraq's Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said in comments aired on Sunday.

"What is expected from the U.S. administration, to avoid double standards, is to classify the Mehdi Army and the militias that worked under its umbrella and banner as terrorist militias and to apply international standards against them," al-Hashemi, a Sunni, told Al Jazeera television.

Deemed by the Pentagon to be the biggest threat to Iraq, the Mehdi Army has kept a low profile, appearing on the streets without their guns, since U.S. and Iraqi troops launched an offensive last week to quell sectarian violence.

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani last week said Sadr had ordered his militia leaders to leave Iraq while the security operation was under way.

Read the rest at Reuters/Alternet

Related Link:
Sources: Rice, in surprise visit, criticizes focus on Sunnis in crackdown

Related Link:
VP Hashemi calls for inclusion of Sunni 'resistance' in political process, says U.S. 'failed to run the country'

Related Link:
Talabani: Sadr orders militia heads to leave Iraq 'to make the mission of the security forces easier'

Related Link:
Hashemi calls for recalling former members of army

Related Link:
Hashemi: Sunnis primary victims of ethnic cleansing

Related Link:
Iraqi VP Hashemi: Bush 'brainwashed' Blair into staying

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

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