Iraqi PM orders Basra militants to surrender  Iraqi policmen at
a checkpoint in Basra, Iraq Iraqi policemen at a checkpoint in
Basra, Iraq. Haider Al-Assadee/EPA  The Iraqi prime minister,
Nouri al-Maliki, today gave Shia fighters in Basra three days to
surrender their forces.  Maliki imposed the deadline as clashes
between security forces and Shia militants erupted throughout
the country.  He said gunmen who failed to hand over their arms
and sign an anti-violence pledge would be targeted by Iraqi
forces.  The ultimatum came on a second day of fierce fighting
between government troops and the Madhi Army, Shia fighters
loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.  Sadr responded to
the attacks with calls for "a civil revolt" and public
demonstrations against Maliki.  Salman al-Feraiji, Sadr's chief
representative in Baghdad, said the cleric had asked his offices
in both the capital and the southern city of Amarah to organise
demonstrations demanding Maliki's resignation.  Yesterday,
15,000 soldiers were sent