The movement of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr will be barred from taking part in the political process unless it disbands its Mehdi Army militia, U.S. television network CNN quoted Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki as saying.

"A decision was taken ... that they no longer have a right to participate in the political process or take part in the upcoming elections unless they end the Mehdi Army," Maliki said in an interview with CNN, according to a report posted on the network's website.

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