A senior Iraqi Shia cleric has called for the ouster of U.S. occupation troops and U.S. firms working in Iraq.

A senior Shia cleric has called for the ouster of U.S. occupation troops and U.S. firms working in Iraq.

Moqtada al-Sadr’s remarks came in a statement read by his Baghdad representative, Hazem al-Aaraji, to a large crowd of supporters.

Rallies were held in several Iraqi cities in commemoration of the martyrdom of Sadr’s father 11 years ago.

He was assassinated by agents of the former terrorist regime of Saddam Hussein.

Sadr’s statement said “American troops and American companies must leave” and urged the government and his supporters to force them to do so.

He also called for the immediate release of his movement’s detainees.