US cautious on Sadr group's return to Iraqi politics

BAGHDAD (AFP) - The return of radical Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's political bloc to the Iraqi government is a "positive sign" but could be a tactic to help its militia survive a US-Iraqi crackdown, the US ambassador to Baghdad said.

"I believe the recent trend, the recent stand is more positive than past," Zalmay Khalilzad told a group of Western reporters.

"If it is a change of heart, meaning a strategy, and submitting to the rule of law, it is a good thing. But if it is change of tactic then we need to be cautious as tactics could change."

The group had suspended participation in the political process following Maliki's November 30 meeting with US President George W. Bush in Jordan, but ended its boycott on Sunday.

Sadr's bloc has 32 MPs in Iraq's 275 member parliament and six ministers in Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's cabinet.

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