US troops arrest al-Sadr aide

US troops have arrested a representative of anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr as he attended a meeting of tribal leaders at a hotel in Baghdad yesterday.

Hazen al-Aaraji was detained as he entered the conference hall at the Palestine Hotel. His bodyguards tried to prevent the arrest, but stepped aside when confronted by the soldiers.

Troops took al-Aaraji to the neighbouring Sheraton Hotel.

US forces have been battling al-Sadr’s militia since April 4 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.