An Iraqi Shia militia group behind the kidnap of a British consultant and his four bodyguards, and blamed for the killing of US troops, said on Monday it would join the political process. Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asaib Ahel al-Haq or League of the Righteous, said the departure of American forces a week ago meant violent “resistance” was no longer required.
“The sons of resistance have carried out their duty successfully,” Khazali told a conference in the holy Shiite city of Najaf in south Iraq. “They are ready to sacrifice to participate in the political process.”
Mohammed al-Hamed, spokesman for Iraq’s National Reconciliation Commission, said authorities held a series of talks with the League of the Righteous’s political section and the deal was agreed after the US completed its withdrawal from Iraq on December 18.
“They felt the withdrawal is real, and there is no need to carry weapons,” Hamed told AFP. “It has been agreed by the two sides to support the political process and take part in it.” Asaib Ahel al-Haq still holds the body of Alan McMenemy, one of four bodyguards working with British IT consultant Peter Moore, when the five were kidnapped from the finance ministry in Baghdad in May 2007 by some 40 gunmen from the Shiite militia.
