Farooq Naeem / AFP - Getty Images

Pakistani Muslim cleric Muhammad Tahirul Qadri (center) reads from the copy of an agreement at a protest rally in Islamabad on Jan. 17. Ruling party Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira (center left) and Law Minister Farooq Naek (center right) look on.

Asif Hassan / AFP - Getty Images

Qadri flashes victory sign to supporters Thursday night.

Reuters reports: A Muslim cleric with a history of ties to the military who has been calling for the Pakistani government to resign reached a deal with the administration on Thursday that will give him a say in the electoral process ahead of elections.

Muhammad Tahirul Qadri triggered a political crisis by launching mass protests in the capital four days ago calling for electoral reforms to clean up Pakistani politics.

He has been pushing for the military to play a role in the formation of the caretaker administration that takes over in the run-up to scheduled elections.

"We have reached an agreement," Qadri, who supported an army coup in 1999, told supporters camped out near parliament. "Allah granted us a victory and now you can go home."

The cleric has been delivering long, fiery speeches from behind a bullet-proof glass box because of his opposition to Taliban militants. Full Story

Akhtar Soomro / Reuters

A supporter of Muhammad Tahirul Qadri celebrated after Qadri reached an agreement with Pakistan's coalition government.

Faisal Mahmood / Reuters

Supporters of Muhammad Tahirul Qadri wave flags during celebrations after their leader reached a deal with Pakistan's coalition government on Jan. 17.

Earlier today on PhotoBlog:

• In rain-soaked protest, cleric demands resignation of Pakistan's president

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Slideshow: Pakistan: A nation in Turmoil

The AP reports from JAKARTA, Indonesia: 

 The Indonesian Muslim cleric known as spiritual leader of the militants who carried out the deadly 2002 Bali bombings was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison for his role in supporting a militant camp uncovered last year.

Abu Bakar Bashir's conviction for incitement of terrorism followed two unsuccessful attempts by prosecutors over the past eight years to link him to terror activities, including a conviction that was later overturned in the Bali attacks that killed 202 people. The lengthy sentence against Bashir, now 72, suggests Indonesia's continuing resolve to tackle its deadly extremist movement.

The verdict was announced amid high security at a Jakarta court where hundreds of Bashir supporters gathered, some with placards saying "Free Abu Bakar Bashir." Nearly 3,200 police and soldiers secured the area after bomb threats spread through Twitter and text messages. Continue reading.

Romeo Gacad / AFP - Getty Images

Radical Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir (sitting center, back to camera) listens to the judges' verdict as he is convicted by a court in Jakarta on terrorism charges on June 16.

Dimas Ardian / Getty Images

Abu Bakar Bashir is seen behind bars before his hearing verdict at the South Jakarta District Court on June 16.

Dimas Ardian / Getty Images

Supporters of Abu Bakar Bashir pray outside court as he is sentenced on June 16.