Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of a powerful political movement and a major Iraqi figure, has announced his exit from politics two months before legislative polls

Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, leader of a powerful political movement and a major Iraqi figure, has announced his exit from politics two months before legislative polls.
  
"I announce my non-intervention in all political affairs and that there is no bloc that represents us from now on, nor any position inside or outside the government nor parliament," Sayyed Sadr said in a written statement received by AFP on Sunday.
  
Sadr's group currently holds six cabinet posts as well as 40 seats in the 325-member parliament. He also said his movement's political offices will be closed, but that others related to social welfare, media and education will remain open.
  
It was not immediately clear if the decision was temporary or permanent, with Sadrist officials surprised by the announcement not in a position to clarify.
  
One official from Sadr's office told AFP that no one wanted to discuss the issue "because it was a surprise decision." "I do not think it will be reversed... because it is a very strong decision," the official added however.