Iraq's Sadr calls for talks to end days of violence

NAJAF, Iraq (Reuters) - Powerful Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr on Thursday called for talks to end days of widespread clashes between his followers and Iraqi security forces in southern Iraqi towns and cities and Baghdad.

"We ask everyone to adopt the political resolution and peaceful protest. Do not shed Iraqi blood," Sadr said in a statement read to Reuters by Hazem al-Araji, one of his senior aides in the holy Shi'ite city of Najaf.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, however, said earlier in the day: "No talks. No negotiations." (Reporting by Khaled Farhan; Writing by Ross Colvin; Editing by Ibon Villelabeitia)