Baghdad: Extremist Shia group gives up armed struggle

The League of the Righteous is laying down its weapons in favour of 'national unity.'

BAGHDAD (AsiaNews/Agencies) - An extremist Shia group has agreed to renounce violence and move its fight to the political level. Government sources said the deal was clinched last week in a meeting between representatives of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, or League of the Righteous, and (Shia) Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

The group, according to the United States, is backed by Iran and has refused to adhere to a militia cease-fire with the Iraqi government.

The League is also believed to be responsible for the killing of five American soldiers in south Baghdad on 20 January 2007 and the kidnapping of five British men.

Iraqi government aide Sami al-Askari said that the group promised to lay down its weapons and join the political process.

In return, Prime Minister al-Maliki promised to seek the release of the group's detainees in US custody, al-Askari said.

The deal comes as the Shiite-led Iraqi government moves increasingly to assert its sovereignty and solidify its power base ahead of national elections scheduled for January next year.

Ali al-Dabbagh, spokesman for the Shia-dominated government, confirmed that the group has decided to end its armed struggle and offer its "support for efforts to achieve national unity."