Preparations afoot for huge anti-U.S. protest

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Offices of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr’s movement have begun preparations for a massive anti-U.S. demonstration that is scheduled to take place on April 9, according to an official statement. “Preparations have commenced for a million-strong demonstration, where all sects and Iraqi factions are scheduled to join, together with Sadrists, on April 9 to protest the presence of the occupying forces,” an official Sadrist statement that was received by IraqiNews.com news agency quoted a Sadrist official, Halim al-Fatlawi, as saying. Preparations are in full swing for the demonstration, which will be staged in the capital Baghdad in response to calls from Sadr, Fatlawi explained. Several prominent figures, including chieftains and parliamentarians, will take part in the event, he added. SS (P) 1