Iraqi militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr calls truce as clashes continue    

    BEIJING, Aug. 31 -- Iraqi militia leader Moqtada al-Sadr has called for a six-month truce, as fierce clashes between rival Shiite militias enter their third day.

    The scuffles have left more than 50 dead, and worsened security in the war-torn country.

    Karbala, in southern Iraq, the holy city of Shiite Muslims.

    Three days of fighting between rival Shiite groups has forced the city's annual Shiite Shabaniya festival to be cut short.

    Clashes began late Monday and escalated dramatically when gunmen opened fire on security forces.

    The battles are believed to be scuffles between Iraq's two biggest Shiite groups, followers of the anti-American cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, and the rival Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council.

    While Al-Sadr has denied involvement in the fighting, his spokesman claims Al-sadr has called for weapons to be laid down for six months.

    A local official says at least 52 people have been killed and 300 others injured.. filling hospitals in and around Karbala.

    Authorities have locked down access to the city, and security has been heightened in other Shiite areas to prevent the clashes from spreading.

    Tensions have been rising in southern Iraq as rival Shiite groups jostle for power - especially in the oil-rich area of Basra.

    (Source: CCTV.com)