Iraqi leaders have called on all political groups to disband their militias ahead of provincial elections in October, a statement Sunday by President Jalal Talabani's office said.
   
The move appears to be aimed at powerful Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr whose feared Mahdi Army militia fought with Iraqi forces in the southern city of Basra last week in bitter clashes that killed hundreds.
   
Members of the top-level Political Council of National Security met on Saturday at the office of Talabani and framed the 15-point statement.
   
The council comprises the president, the prime minister and the heads of the various political blocs.
   
"The militias should be integrated into civilian activities as a condition for participating in the political process and the next elections," the statement said.
   
The political council said it was firmly behind the Shia-led government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
   
Sadr boasts Iraq's most powerful militia with an estimated 60,000 fighters.
   
Many of them clashed with security forces recently in Basra and other Shia regions of Iraq, including in Baghdad's Sadr City.
   
The clashes erupted after Maliki ordered a crackdown on militiamen in Basra.