Influential Iraqi Cleric Sadr Says Americans Should Leave Iraq

Rasa - An influential Shiite cleric said on Sunday American nationals should leave Iraq, in retaliation for the new travel curbs imposed by the US administration on the Iraqis.

News ID: 426931

Date: 29 January 2017 - 21:39

RNA -  "It would be arrogance for you to enter freely Iraq and other countries while barring to them the entrance to your country ... and therefore you should get your nationals out,'' Moqtada al-Sadr said on his website, commenting on US President Donald Trump's decision, Reuters reported.

The Iraqi government has so far declined to comment on the executive order signed by Trump on Friday, which suspends the entry of travelers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for at least 90 days.

Aid and advocacy groups have reacted with dismay and outrage to Donald Trump's order.

Trump's order suspends the US Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days, and indefinitely suspends admission of Syrian refugees to the US until "sufficient changes" have been made to the program.

The order does not specifically say it targets Islam but it suspends most entry for 90 days from certain nations including Iraq based on statute related to the Visa Waiver Program.

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