However, Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Imam Al-Mehdi Army has been battling U.S. and allied Iraqi security forces, has declared his intention to continue resistance.
Speaking to his fighters at Al-Najaf's Imam Ali shrine, al-Sadr called on the U.S.-backed interim Iraqi government to resign. Aides to Al-Sadr said the cleric was lightly injured in fighting.
Aides to the cleric and officials of the interim Iraqi government were earlier reported seeking to negotiate a ceasefire in Al-Najaf.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell denounced al-Sadr and his fighters as outlaws and said U.S. forces were "squeezing" Al-Najaf in a bid to restore order in the city.
(AP/Reuters/AFP)
Speaking to his fighters at Al-Najaf's Imam Ali shrine, al-Sadr called on the U.S.-backed interim Iraqi government to resign. Aides to Al-Sadr said the cleric was lightly injured in fighting.
Aides to the cleric and officials of the interim Iraqi government were earlier reported seeking to negotiate a ceasefire in Al-Najaf.
In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell denounced al-Sadr and his fighters as outlaws and said U.S. forces were "squeezing" Al-Najaf in a bid to restore order in the city.
(AP/Reuters/AFP)
