BAGHDAD

Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr said Saturday said that there will be no place for militias in the country’s new government.

His statements came on the eve of the first session of Iraq’s new parliament following the Oct. 10 parliamentary elections, in which his bloc emerged winner.

"Today, there is no place for sectarianism or ethnicity, but a national majority government where the Shias will defend the rights of minorities, the Sunnis and Kurds," al-Sadr said on Twitter.

"There is no room for corruption, all [Iraq's] sects shall be supportive to reform," al-Sadr said, adding that "everyone will support the army, police and security forces."

Al-Sadr is known for his opposition to Shia armed groups operating outside the rule of law in Iraq.

Al-Sadr's bloc came first in the Iraqi parliamentary elections, snatching 73 seats in the 329-member parliament.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar