Iraq's Sadr suspends militia activity for 6 months

BAGHDAD, Aug 29 (Reuters) Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr ordered his Mehdi Army militia to suspend its activities for up to six months and his movement to shut its offices for three days, a top aide said today.

''First, (let's) freeze (the activities of) the Mehdi Army, without exception, to restructure it in a way that will preserve its principles, for a maximum period of six months,'' Hazim al-Araji said, reading from a statement he said was signed by Sadr.

REUTERS SS PM1825