The radical Shia Muslim cleric Hojetoleslam Moqtada al-Sadr today pulled his six ministers out of Iraq's coalition Government to protest against the Prime Minister's refusal to set a deadline for the withdrawal of American troops.

The move was not expected to bring down Nouri al-Maliki's Government, even though the Sadrist bloc forms the largest single group in the coalition, but will raise the political temperature after a weekend of savage sectarian violence.

The hardline cleric has not been seen in public since last October, but was angered last week when mass street protests failed to persuade Mr al-Maliki to set a date for the pull-out of US and British troops.

The decision to withdraw from the Government was announced by Nassar al-Rubaie, a Sadrist MP, who read a statement from the cleric at a Baghdad news conference.

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Al Sadr wants to demonstrate to his people that he remains a rebel leader, while at the same time keeping a hand in the workings of government

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“The six ministries shall be handed over to the Government itself in the hope that this government will give these responsibilities to independent bodies who wish to serve the interest of the people and the country,” it said.

Mr al-Rubai said that the main reasons for the decision were "the Prime Minister's lack of response to the demands of nearly one million people in Najaf asking for the withdrawal of US forces and the deterioration in security and services".

A rally organised by the Sadrist movement in the holy city of Najaf a week ago saw huge crowds demanding the withdrawal of foreign troops. The US military put the turnout at 15,000, while Iraqi officials claimed that hundreds of thousands took to the streets.

Mr al-Maliki has declined to offer any timetable for withdrawal of foreign troops, saying any decision on the timing of their departure will be guided by the security situation on the ground.

In recent months there have been clashes between Mahdi Army fighters and Iraq's Shia-led security forces, while US forces have rounded up many militia leaders in raids around the country.

Mr al-Sadr is widely considered the wild card in Iraqi politics, with more power to disrupt than to encourage the country’s small, faltering steps towards national reconciliation. His supporters have denied US claims that he is in hiding in Iran.

Analysts were divided on the implications of today's move. One, Tareq Harb, said that Mr al-Maliki was likely to use the decision to push the US to step up Iraqi troop training.

Meanwhile, Joost Hiltermann, Iraq expert with the International Crisis Group, said that Mr al-Sadr was gambling on being able to wait out his US foes.

“Sadr does not want to restart a fight with the Americans as there is a feeling that they will go away next year. He wants to wait it out. But he has to consolidate himself,” Mr Hiltermann told AFP.

He added: "“This is an internal debate within the Sadr movement. Sadr wants to consolidate his ranks. His decisions are being challenged by his own people. Sadr continues to be strong. He is the only popular movement in Iraq. He is going through difficult times as he has a loosely managed organisation which is not disciplined."

Meanwhile, an estimated 3,000 people protested in Basra, Iraq's second city, calling for the resignation of Mohammed al-Waeli, the city governor.

The demonstrators, who say that the governor has failed to ensure proper power supplies and city services, gathered near the main Basra mosque before marching a few hundred metres to Mr al-Waeli's office. The protest broke up a few hours later without incident.

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