Iraq's Al-Sadr To Form Political Party

13 June 2004 -- Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is planning to establish a political party that could participate in democratic elections next year.

Qais al-Khazali, a spokesman for radical cleric, made the announcement today in the Iraqi holy city of Al-Najaf.

U.S. officials want al-Sadr to face justice in connection with the murder of a rival cleric last year -- a charge al-Sadr denies.

Al-Sadr's Imam Al-Mahdi Army launched an armed uprising against U.S.-led forces in Iraq in April.

(Reuters)