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Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki on Friday offered amnesty to Shiite fighters in a bid to defuse tensions with Shiite cleric Moqtada Al Sadr.
Maliki said security forces would stop arresting Shiite fighters involved in last week's clashes in Baghdad if they surrendered.
"To give space and an opportunity for those who are remorseful and are willing to give up their weapons, all pursuits and raids in all areas will be stopped," Maliki said.
Sadr's movement has already told the Mehdi Army to ignore Maliki's previous orders for members to surrender.
Maliki ordered a crackdown on militia in Basra last week but his army faced stiff resistance from the Mehdi fighters.
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