usmc4669
04-14-04, 01:34 PM
U.S. troops arrested a representative of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in a hotel in central Baghdad on Tuesday.
.Hazem al-Aaraji, who is also an outspoken anti-U.S. cleric, was detained in the conference hall of the Sheraton Hotel during a meeting of tribal leaders. His bodyguards tried to prevent the arrest, but stepped aside when confronted by the soldiers.
.Several people in the conference hall shouted "Allahu Akbar!", or "God is Great!" and jostled with the soldiers as they pushed the cleric, dressed in a black robe and turban, out of the room.
.Troops put al-Aaraji and an associate in a Bradley fighting vehicle and drove him away.
.U.S. forces have been battling al-Sadr's militia since April 4 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
.
.Hazem al-Aaraji, who is also an outspoken anti-U.S. cleric, was detained in the conference hall of the Sheraton Hotel during a meeting of tribal leaders. His bodyguards tried to prevent the arrest, but stepped aside when confronted by the soldiers.
.Several people in the conference hall shouted "Allahu Akbar!", or "God is Great!" and jostled with the soldiers as they pushed the cleric, dressed in a black robe and turban, out of the room.
.Troops put al-Aaraji and an associate in a Bradley fighting vehicle and drove him away.
.U.S. forces have been battling al-Sadr's militia since April 4 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
.