A radical Iraqi cleric whose militia group fought US troops after they invaded Iraq has said he is retiring from political life.br br Moqtada Sadr is from a religious Shia family.br br His militia was blamed for abducting and killing thousands of Sunnis.br br In 2008 after his militia – the Mehedi Army – clashed with the Iraqi army , he announced the group would give up its arms and disband.br br He later made a truce with Prime Minister Maliki, and his followers obtained several ministerial posts in the government.br br Since then he has called for unity and peace in the country.