The political followers of Iraq's radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, say they are ending a two-month boycott of Iraq's parliament and government. The boycott was imposed as a protest over a planned meeting between Iraq's prime minister and President Bush. Correspondents say the move signifies an easing of tensions among Shia groups in Iraq's government.
The anti-US group, a key member of PM Nouri Maliki's coalition, has 32 MPs in the 275-seat parliament. The Mehdi Army, the Shia militia loyal to Moqtada Sadr, has fought sporadic battles with the US since 2003 and has been identified as a disruptive force within Iraq by Washington.