Sadr orders to raise black flags in mourning for signing agreement

NAJAF / IraqiNews.com: Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr on Friday ordered his followers to raise black flags of mourning and to close his offices for three days throughout Iraq because of approving the U.S. troop withdrawal agreement, two Sadrist officials said. Sheikh Muhanad al-Gharawi said at a press conference, attended by Lewaa Smiesim, “Sayyid Muqtada al-Sadr ordered to raise black flags of mourning and close offices throughout Iraq to express sorrow over the signing of the agreement.” Only 198 MPs attended the important session of the 275-member assembly Thursday. 149 members voted in favor of the pact, while lawmakers from the Sadrist bloc voted against it. A failure to approve the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) would have put the Iraqi government in a dilemma, as they were to approach the UN Security Council to extend the deployment of U.S. forces after the current mandate ends this year. The SOFA bill will become law once the Iraqi Presidential Council ratifies it. SH (P) 1