Ban lifted on radical Shia paper.

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Registered: 03-18-2000
Ban lifted on radical Shia paper.
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 7:32am

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3906195.stm


The interim Iraqi government has lifted the ban on a newspaper belonging to radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.


The newspaper, al-Hawzah, was closed in March by the US-led coalition, which said it was inciting violence.

The closure and the arrest of one of Mr Sadr's deputies in March this year sparked violent confrontations between US-led forces and Shia militants.

Interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said the ban had been lifted to demonstrate his absolute belief in a free pres.


However, the newspaper's managing editor, Ali al-Yasiri, says the lifting of the ban comes as al-Hawzah was preparing to resume publishing anyway.

"We fixed an official date to reopen the press centre, which represents the martyr Sadr and the newspaper al-Hawzah. It seems that the government took note of this and then the prime minister's office issued that statement," Mr Yasiri said.

Mr Sadr and his top aides continue to argue that the new interim government is illegitimate.

BBC analyst Kifah Arif says the lifting the newspaper ban may be a step towards allowing Mr Sadr to join the political mainstream and to participate in the general elections due in January.


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