Rebel Shiite Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr vowed to carry on fighting the US-led occupying forces and die a martyr, saying he would not disband his Mehdi Army militia unless religious authorities demanded it. “We are ready for any US escalation and don’t expect otherwise from the American occupation,” he said at a press conference in the shrine to Imam Ali, the holiest place in Shiite Islam. “My desire is to die a martyr in this country.” But Sadr said he was peace-loving and asked the American people to understand his desire for independence and freedom for his country. “If you were in my place you would do the same, fight the occupation, kick them out, fight for independence,” he said. He told his militia currently engaged with US-led forces in the Shiite holy city of Karbala they were “heroes” and added, “Be brave and fight and don’t let the occupier defile the sanctity of your city.” Full Story