Official: Iraq will not allow open warfare

Baghdad: Iraq will not allow the break out of fullfledged war, the government said on Monday in response to Moqtada Al Sadr's threats of open war.

Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said Iraq will confront armed militias and said: “Nobody will accept open warfare in Iraq or allow the rule of militias to be established."

Iraq is capable of confronting Al Sadr, Zebari reaffirmed, adding the government has to take action when state authority is challenged.

Clashes between US forces and Shiite militants have claimed many lives and fighting has spread to other areas of the capital

Fresh fighting on Monday also saw three more people firing rockets killed by US troops in New Baghdad.