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Iraqi Premier Tries To Quell Violence

25 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Ja'fari has appealed for calm following clashes between rival Shi'ite Muslim groups in the Shi'ite holy city of Al-Najaf and in Baghdad and elsewhere.

In a television address, Ja'fari condemned reported violence on 24 August targeting an office in Al-Najaf of radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and promised an investigation.

Clashes have been reported between supporters of Sadr and rival factions in Al-Najaf, Baghdad, Al-Basrah, Nasiriyah, and other locations.

The unrest came as parliament was expected to vote later today on a draft constitution. The draft is opposed by Sadr and Sunni Muslim groups. Talks have been taking place aimed at winning Sunni backing for the document.

U.S. officials have meanwhile announced that an extra 1,500 American troops will be sent to Iraq to join the current U.S. force of around 138,000 soldiers in a bid to boost security for October's planned constitutional referendum.

(Reuters/AP/AFP)

Copyright (c) 2005. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org