posted on Aug, 8 2004 @ 02:31 AM
Iraq's PM Iyad Allawi has announced a limited amnesty for anti-government rebels on Saturday and extended an olive branch to cleric Moqtada al-Sadr,
whose fighters have staged an uprising in various Iraqi cities. The long-delayed amnesty, that would last for 30 days, does not include anybody who
has murdered, raped, looted or been involved in destroying government buildings.
Iraq Issues Amnesty to Insurgents
This law is directed toward individuals who have committed minor crimes and have not yet been apprehended or prosecuted ...," Allawi said.
"This order has been established to allow citizens to rejoin the civil society and participate in the reconstruction of their country instead of
wasting their lives pointlessly toward a lost cause."
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Clashes between U.S. marines and Sadr's militiamen continued into a third day today in the holy city of Najaf, the troops had engaged in close and
heavy fighting.
More than 12 explosions rocked central Baghdad last night, at least 43 people have been killed in fighting between U.S. forces and Shi'ite militiamen
in Baghdad and Najaf over the past 24 hours,
Despite widespread violence, a national conference is planned to go ahead on Aug.15 to choose a council to oversee the interim government, followed by
elections in January.
[edit on 8-8-2004 by Riwka]
[edit on 8-8-2004 by Valhall]
[edit on 8-9-2004 by Valhall]