The Iraqi government is negotiating with one of the most powerful Shiite Muslim militias in an attempt to secure the release of a kidnapped Sunni Arab parliament member, a Sunni legislator said Monday. Amar Jubouri said that government officials have held discussions with followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who leads the thousands-strong Mahdi Army militia, with the goal of securing freedom for Tayseer al-Mashhadani. Sadr has been an outspoken opponent of the U.S. presence in Iraq, and his militia members are frequently accused by Sunnis of playing a major role in Iraq’s continuing violence. Full Story