U.S. bears responsibility for disorder in Iraq: Shiite cleric

DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al- Sadr said Monday the United States is responsible for the disorder in Iraq.

Al-Sadr made the remarks at a press conference held in Damascus, where he stressed his support for the formation of an Iraqi unified national government representing all Iraqi people.

The U.S. troops in Iraq currently stand at 77,500, the lowest since the 2003 invasion and less than half of the peak level of 165,000 during the "surge."

The number will fall to 50,000 by September 1, meaning that an average of roughly 2,500 troops will be withdrawn every week from July to August.

With the United States pulling out large numbers of troops by the end of August, the political stagnation may create a dangerous vacuum which could be exploited by insurgents.

Al-Sadr, who is visiting Damascus, held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Saturday, during which al-Assad confirmed his country's full support to the formation of the Iraqi national unified government as soon as possible.

Al-Sadr also praised the Leader of the Iraqi National Movement Ayad Allawi, who is also in Damascus on a visit, and his movement for their care for the Iraqi national interest.

"The upcoming period will witness good results that serve the Iraqi interest," said the Shiite Leader.

Along with Ali al-Sistani and Ammar al-Hakim of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq, al-Sadr is one of the most influential religious and political figures in the country.

Syria had invited Iraqi figures for a visit in a bid to step up the pace of the dialogue between the different political parties.

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