BEIRUT, Lebanon, August 30, 2004 - A top aide to Iraq's rebel Shi'ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr called on the Mehdi Army militia Monday to cease fire across Iraq and said Sadr was preparing to announce plans for a major political program.
"Due to the situation in Najaf and the provinces ... we call on all members of the Mehdi Army to cease fire unless in self-defense, and to be patient until the political program which Sadr's followers are planning is revealed," Sheik Ali Smeisim told Lebanon's al-Manar television.

A peace deal last week ended three weeks of fighting in the Iraqi city of Najaf between Sadr's militia and U.S. and Iraqi forces, but there have been sporadic clashes elsewhere since then.

Iraq's interim government has often called on Sadr to lay down his arms and join the country's political process.

"We are telling the Iraqi government that Sadr's movement is going to announce a major political program," Smeisim said.

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