Anti-American cleric returns to Iraq

Anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who led several Shia uprisings against U.S. forces in Iraq before travelling to neighbouring Iran at least three years ago, has returned to Iraq, officials said Wednesday in Baghdad.

Al-Sadr's return caps another dramatic rise to prominence for him and his followers after they were routed by Iraqi and U.S. forces and appeared to fade from power just a few years ago. The strong showing by his bloc in last year's parliamentary elections and his key support for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki paved the way forhis return Wednesday.

It was not immediately clear how long al-Sadr would stay in Iraq or whether the return marked a permanent decision to remain in the country. His presence would certainly mark a seismic shift in Iraqi politics.Hundreds of al-Sadr's followers were gathering at his house, while others gathered at a key holy shrine.

Al-Sadr has not been seen publicly in Iraq since 2007. He left the country and has been living in Iran. His militia, called the Mahdi Army, has presented some of the main opposition to the U.S. since the 2003 invasion, and al-Sadr has made opposition to any continuedU.S. military presence in Iraq a cornerstone of his ideology.