1,300 Iraqi troops, police dismissed

A U.S. soldier holds a weapon in a helicopter afterconducting
a mission in Baghdad April 13, 2008.

BAGHDAD (AP) -- Iraq's government moved Sunday to restore discipline within the ranks of the security forces, sacking more than 1,300 soldiers and policemen who deserted during recent fighting against Shiite militias in Basra.

At the same time, Iraq's Cabinet ratcheted up the pressure on anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr by approving draft legislation barring political parties with militias from participating in upcoming provincial elections. full story