Sadr says detainees’ release precondition for coalition

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Iraqi Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr has demanded a release of detainees and those sentenced to death as a condition for the State of Law Alliance, led by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, to merge with the National Alliance. The release should include detainees and those sentenced to death for political reasons or others, according to a statement published on the official web site of the Shiite leader. MP Hanin al-Qado from the State of Law Alliance had revealed negotiations with the newly-established National Alliance to form a combined bloc ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled to take place on January 16, 2010. SS (P) 1