Armistice in Najaf; Extra British troops to land in Iraq

By: Ismail Zabeeh

HOLY CITY OF NAJAF, Iraq: The US-led coalition agreed Thursday to suspend offensive operations in the holy city of Najaf after Moqtada As-Sadr began pulling his fighters from their strongholds and offered a truce.

The announcement came after days of heavy fighting in and around Najaf that damaged holiest site, the Imam Ali (peace be on him) Shrine.

US officials welcomed the move brokered by Shiite elders as a good first step toward ending crisis that has damaged the sanctity of holy sites and cost hundreds of lives across southern Iraq. But they rejected Sadr's demands to be let off a murder charge and insisted he fully disband his Mehdi Army militia. Iraqi leaders had urged the Americans to accept the agreement.

Talking to reporters in Baghdad, spokesman for the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority Dan Senor said coalition forces will pull out of most of Najaf once Iraqi security forces reenter the city and assume control of strategic buildings from As-Sadr's militia.

“Until that time, coalition forces will suspend offensive operations but will continue to provide security by carrying out presence patrols,” Senor said.

In a dramatic climb-down from his earlier pledge to lead his followers to martyrdom, Sadr said he had agreed to a four-point plan “to put an end to the tragic situation in Najaf and the violation of the sanctity of the sacred shrine of Imam Ali” which was damaged during the clashes. He said he would withdraw his followers from government buildings and pull out all Mehdi Army fighters from Najaf, except those who lived in the city, to pave the way for the return for Iraqi security forces.

Separately, Britain announced that it will send some 370 extra troops to its zone of occupation in southern Iraq to shore up security after the June 30 restoration of Iraqi sovereignty.

Defense Secretary Geoff Hoon told parliament Thursday: “I am announcing a net increase of around 370 troop numbers to bring the total of United Kingdom forces supporting operations in Iraq to about 8,900.”

Meanwhile, former US vice president Al Gore called Thursday for the immediate resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other top administration officials, blaming them for the “catastrophe” in Iraq.

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