Shiite leader urges release of Sadrist official

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr on Saturday called on the Iraqi government to interfere to secure the release of a Sadrist official from a U.S.-run detention center because of his deteriorating health. “Out of public interest and loyalty to Abdul Rida Fayyad, who is currently held in U.S. prisons, I urge the Iraqi government to secure his release as soon as possible especially after we knew of his serious illness,” a release by the Supreme Media Authority of the Sadrist Movement, which was received by IraqiNews.com news agency, quoted Sadr as saying. SS (P) 1