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Iraq extends militiamen deadline Iraq extends militiamen deadline
(about 3 hours later)
Iraq's government has extended by 10 days a deadline for Shia militiamen fighting troops in the southern city of Basra to hand over their weapons.Iraq's government has extended by 10 days a deadline for Shia militiamen fighting troops in the southern city of Basra to hand over their weapons.
More than 130 people have been killed and 350 injured since a clampdown on militias began in Basra on Tuesday.More than 130 people have been killed and 350 injured since a clampdown on militias began in Basra on Tuesday.
US-led forces joined the battle for the first time overnight, bombing Shia positions, the UK military said.US-led forces joined the battle for the first time overnight, bombing Shia positions, the UK military said.
Iraq's parliament is to hold emergency talks on the crisis, which has also brought a three-day curfew in Baghdad. Iraq's parliament is set for emergency talks on the crisis, which has also brought a three-day curfew in Baghdad.
A statement from Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's office read: "All those who have heavy and intermediate weapons are to deliver them to security sites and they will be rewarded financially. This will start from March 28 to April 8."A statement from Prime Minister Nouri Maliki's office read: "All those who have heavy and intermediate weapons are to deliver them to security sites and they will be rewarded financially. This will start from March 28 to April 8."
Iraqis hold a banner of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr during a massive protest in Baghdad Amateur footageIraqis hold a banner of radical cleric Moqtada Sadr during a massive protest in Baghdad Amateur footage
No reason was given for the deadline extension.No reason was given for the deadline extension.
The BBC's Crispin Thorold in Baghdad says the statement is a marked change in tone and appears to be an effort to defuse the violence in Basra, Baghdad and other parts of the country. UK military spokesman in Basra Maj Tom Holloway said: "A number of local sheikhs have handed in militia members and ammunition and explosives, and the prime minister is hoping to extend the window of opportunity to others."
UK military spokesman Maj Tom Holloway said: "A number of local sheikhs have handed in militia members and ammunition and explosives, and the prime minister is hoping to extend the window of opportunity to others." BBC Arab affairs analyst Magdi Abdelhadi says the extension indicates that either the military solution is proving far more difficult than Mr Maliki thought or there are behind-the-scenes efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution.
Mr Maliki had earlier vowed he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as necessary.Mr Maliki had earlier vowed he would continue the fight against the militias for as long as necessary.
The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police fighting the Shia Mehdi Army, led by radical cleric Moqtada Sadr. He has pulled out of this weekend's Arab League summit in Syria to deal with the crisis.
BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the GulfRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport Battles threaten fragile IraqClashes in picturesInvasion right, says Bush BASRA KEY FACTS Third largest city, population 2.6 million approxLocated on the Shatt al-Arab waterway leading to the GulfRegion around city has substantial oil resources4,000 UK troops based at international airport Battles threaten fragile IraqClashes in picturesInvasion right, says Bush The prime minister has personally overseen the operation in Basra, which involves some 30,000 troops and police fighting the Shia Mehdi Army, led by radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.
Mehdi Army fighters remain in control of some densely populated areas.Mehdi Army fighters remain in control of some densely populated areas.
Maj Holloway said US warplanes had for the first time in the operation carried out bombing raids overnight in Basra, targeting "mortar teams" and "a concentration of militia troops".Maj Holloway said US warplanes had for the first time in the operation carried out bombing raids overnight in Basra, targeting "mortar teams" and "a concentration of militia troops".
Late on Thursday, Mr Sadr had called for a political solution to the crisis.Late on Thursday, Mr Sadr had called for a political solution to the crisis.
In a statement relayed by his aide Hazem al-Aaraji, he said he wanted "everyone to pursue political solutions and peaceful protests and a stop to the shedding of Iraqi blood".In a statement relayed by his aide Hazem al-Aaraji, he said he wanted "everyone to pursue political solutions and peaceful protests and a stop to the shedding of Iraqi blood".
However, aides to Mr Sadr on Friday told the BBC that no talks with the government were yet in prospect.However, aides to Mr Sadr on Friday told the BBC that no talks with the government were yet in prospect.
US President George W Bush praised Mr Maliki's decision to order the crackdown, saying "normalcy was returning to Iraq".US President George W Bush praised Mr Maliki's decision to order the crackdown, saying "normalcy was returning to Iraq".
DesertedDeserted
Baghdad's curfew was imposed from Thursday night until 0500 on Sunday to "protect civilians", officials said.Baghdad's curfew was imposed from Thursday night until 0500 on Sunday to "protect civilians", officials said.
No unauthorised vehicles or pedestrians are allowed onto the streets.No unauthorised vehicles or pedestrians are allowed onto the streets.
On Friday, most of the capital's main roads were reported to be deserted.On Friday, most of the capital's main roads were reported to be deserted.
Our correspondent in Baghdad says for now it appears to be relatively peaceful. However, there has been a mortar or rocket strike on the offices of Vice-President Tareq al-Hashemi in the capital's Green Zone compound, killing at least one guard.
Its Green Zone has suffered a number of missile attacks. One of several Americans injured has since died. Two Americans have been killed in attacks on the zone this week.
US embassy staff in Baghdad have been told not to leave reinforced structures.
Before the curfew, thousands of Sadr supporters marched to demand Mr Maliki quit over the Basra operation and there was sporadic fighting in Shia areas of the capital.Before the curfew, thousands of Sadr supporters marched to demand Mr Maliki quit over the Basra operation and there was sporadic fighting in Shia areas of the capital.
In Basra, a Shia member of the city council who did not want to be named told the BBC that the situation on Friday seemed to be closer to normal.In Basra, a Shia member of the city council who did not want to be named told the BBC that the situation on Friday seemed to be closer to normal.
"Today since early morning it's quiet. No shooting. And the people in Basra are going out of their houses for shopping. The buses have started working. And the cars are also working on the streets," the councillor said."Today since early morning it's quiet. No shooting. And the people in Basra are going out of their houses for shopping. The buses have started working. And the cars are also working on the streets," the councillor said.