Anti-U.S. resistance in Iraq will strengthen - militant source

MOSCOW. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Representatives of the anti-U.S. armed resistance in Iraq declared that they will keep on fighting the international coalition, which, in their opinion, has occupied the country.

"With the help of the peace-loving forces of the whole world, we will free our country from the grasp of the U.S.," said Abbas al-Rubai, a representative of the so-called Mahdi Army movement.

"We are the militia. The bravery and courage of our brothers shocked the U.S. command. U.S. soldiers were tricked into believing they would get a welcome with flowers here. We destroyed this myth when we drove the occupants out of the holy city of Najaf," al-Rubai said.

Muhtada as-Sadr is considered to be the leader of this movement, Russia's NTV channel reported that the man believes he is a military opponent of the U.S. rather than a terrorist.

Semper Fi