(VOVworld)- Influential Shiite Muslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, the leader of a powerful political movement, announced his retirement from politics, two months prior to the national election in Iraq.

Iraqi Shi'ite radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr (L). Photo: AP

Cleric Sadr said political offices will be closed except for the offices of humanitarian, telecommunications and educational missions. Sadr’s bloc currently holds 6 seats in the cabinet and 40 seats in the Iraqi National Assembly which comprises 325 members. Iraq has scheduled a general election for April 30. This will be an important test for the Iraqi government in the context of a political deadlock and escalating violence since the US withdrawal of troops in December 2011.