(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.

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.