RT News

Saturday, May 10, 2008

Key points in deal to end Baghdad fighting

May 10 (Reuters) - Iraqi Shi'ite factions on Saturday reached a deal to end fighting between militia and security forces in the Baghdad bastion of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr that has killed hundreds of people, officials said.

Following are the main points of the agreement:

* Gunmen loyal to Sadr in his eastern Baghdad stronghold of Sadr City must lay down their arms within four days of the truce, which takes effect from Saturday.

* No one is entitled to obstruct Iraqi security forces from entering Sadr City, a Shi'ite slum home to 2 million people.

* The government must restore control over Sadr City.

* All blocked roads in Sadr City will be opened to allow emergency aid to be brought to residents and for the wounded to be evacuated.

* Security forces may search Sadr City for wanted "outlaws" and arrest any of them. Security forces must first produce an arrest warrant.

* Militiamen must stop firing mortars and rockets at areas such as the Green Zone diplomatic and government compound.

* Weapons belong only in the hands of the government, not individuals.

* The government has the right to raid any place it suspects of containing weapons.

FOOTNOTE: Iraqi law allows each household to have one gun.

-- For a related news story, click on [ID:nL10432020]

(Compiled by Khalid al-Ansary, editing by Tim Cocks and Jon Boyle)

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