(Adds Maliki comment, background)

BAGHDAD, June 14 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called on outlaws on Saturday to surrender to authorities in a new government security crackdown on militias in southern Iraq.

In a statement read on al-Iraqiya television hours after local officials said army and police had been sent to Amara in southern Maysan province, Maliki said outlaws and criminals were being given their "last chance" to hand over arms.

Maliki said they should hand over heavy and medium weapons and bombs in the next four days.

The operation in Amara is the latest stage in his drive to stamp his government's authority on areas of the country previously controlled by Shi'ite militias or Sunni Arab insurgents.

The city is a stronghold of anti-American Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who agreed to a ceasefire after U.S.-backed Iraqi forces launched a major crackdown on his Mehdi Army militia in Basra in March.

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