Iraqi PM to release 2,500 prisoners

BAGHDAD, June 6 (Reuters) Embattled Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki today said he would release 2,500 prisoners with no clear evidence against them or who were mistakenly detained, in a move to help reach ''national reconciliation''.

''We hope they will abide by not vioently objecting to the political process. This is a strong move which will encourage others,'' he said, in a clear reference to the minority Sunni community, which forms the backbone of the insurgency against his US-backed government.

He said the prisoners would be released from US-run detention centres and Iraqi custody.

REUTERS DKS ND1540