Sadr says “no compromise” as leaders warn US on Najaf

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: The chances of peaceful compromise appeared to dim after Moqtada As-Sadr vowed on Friday not to disband his Mehdi Army militia, a demand made by the US military which 2,500 troops have poised near the holy city of Najaf to kill or capture As-Sadr.

Meanwhile, Ayatullah Ali As-Sistani has warned the United States from entering the holy city of Najaf, home to the holy shrine of Commander of Faithful, son-in-law of the Chief of Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (p), Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (p).

Ayatullah As-Sistani called the members of US-appointed governing council to tell Americans that “Najaf is red line” which must not be crossed. Earlier, he called for respect of law and order and dignity of holy sites in Iraq.

International media commenting on US siege of Najaf says any attack in this holy city could inflame not only Iraq's Shiite majority whose support is vital to US plans for the country's political future, but the whole Muslims world.

Pakistani Shiite leader Sayyid Hamed Al-Mousawi articulated anger on US siege of this holy city terming it a flat challenge for the entire humanity and particularly for Muslims saying that Najaf is holy not only in the sight of Muslims but also whole humanity as it is burial place of Prophets Adam (p) and Noah (p) besides Al-Imam Ali (p).

Lebanese clerics said Washington would fan fury across the Muslim world if it invaded Najaf. Allamah Fadlullah said in Friday sermon: “All of this will set the ground burning beneath their feet, not just in Iraq, but in the whole of the Islamic world.”

Meanwhile, the world's largest Islamic organization, OIC, will hold an urgent meeting next week to discuss rising violence in Iraq besides situation in Mideast.

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Iran steps in to help end Iraq unrest under “agreement”

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Tehran has dispatched on Wednesday a top foreign ministry official to Iraq for talks with coalition officials, Iraqi politicians and religious figures to help mediate an end to the current unrest, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.

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