Iraq's Sadr appears in public after long absence

KUFA, Iraq, May 25 (Reuters) Powerful anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr appeared in public for the first time in months today and again demanded that US troops get out of Iraq.

Sadr, who has not been seen since the start of a major US-backed security crackdown in Iraq in February, also sought to stamp his authority on his fractured Mehdi Army militia, calling on them to stop fighting Iraqi forces. The militia has been blamed for much of the violence, particularly in Baghdad.

In a sermon at today prayers in the southern city of Kufa, his home base, Sadr also called Israel, Britain and the United States the ''evil trio''. Dressed in traditional black robes and turban, he entered the mosque surrounded by guards and aides.

The US military says Sadr fled to Iran in January ahead of the launch of the Baghdad security plan, but aides to the young cleric insist he never left Iraq.

Residents of Kufa said they had noticed more Mehdi Army militiamen on the streets in the past week, possibly indicating Sadr had been away and had returned. The US military, which has been tracking his movements, said it had noted his return.

While there will be much speculation as to why Sadr has chosen now to appear in public after staying out of sight for so many months, his sudden re-emergence comes at a critical time in Iraqi politics.

The cleric has sought to refashion himself as a nationalist leader, broadening his base of support that centres on poor Shi'ites mainly in Baghdad's sprawling Sadr City slum.

In his sermon, he called on his supporters to protect Sunnis and Christians from attack.

TIMETABLE Sadr withdrew his six ministers from Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's government in April in protest at his refusal to set a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal, although he kept its 30 seats in the fractious ruling Shi'ite Alliance.

The main Sunni Arab bloc in the government is considering pulling out over what it says is growing sectarian violence and rampant corruption.

Maliki's weak and divided government is also under mounting pressure to reach key political benchmarks by September, when Washington says it will review its military strategy in Iraq and decide how to proceed.

The deputy US commander in Iraq, Lieutenant-General Raymond Odierno, told the Washington Post he believed Sadr had returned to Iraq to reimpose his authority over the Mehdi Army, which he said appeared to be ''cracking''.

Sectarian murders in Baghdad appear to be on the rise again after three months of sharp declines. Police this week have reported finding about 30 bodies a day on average.

Such killings are typically blamed on Mehdi Army hit squads, although militiamen have largely kept off the streets since the start of the crackdown to avoid confrontations with US troops.

Sadr reportedly ordered many of his senior commanders to leave Iraq to avoid being arrested during the military operation. There was also some suggestion that he had fled to avoid capture by US forces.

''Moqtada disappeared because there was some indication that he was wanted, but now it seems there are no signs that he is wanted.

That is why he has come back,'' a senior member of the Shi'ite Alliance told Reuters.

He said Sadr would hopefully exert more effective control over his militia. U.S. officials and analysts say some hardline factions within his militia have been disobeying his orders.

Sadr's reappearance comes three days before US and Iranian officials are due to hold rare talks in Baghdad to discuss the Iraq crisis. US officials accuse Iran of giving weapons and money to Shi'ite militias, including the Mehdi Army.

REUTERS SV BD1637