Iraq's top cleric oversaw Najaf truce - aide (Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L27118971.htm

BAGHDAD, May 27 (Reuters) - Iraq's senior Shi'ite cleric, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, persuaded insurgent preacher Moqtada al-Sadr to make peace because Sistani feared a U.S. offensive in the holy city of Najaf, an aide to Sistani said on Thursday.

"We felt the storming of Najaf was only days away," Hamed al-Khafaf told Reuters by telephone as details of a possible truce emerged between Sadr's Mehdi Army and U.S. forces.

Sistani, who rarely leaves the seclusion of his Najaf home and steers clear of everyday politics, had sent a warning to U.S. commanders through the U.S.-appointed Iraqi national security adviser saying that if U.S. troops launched a major offensive in the holy city he would act to prevent them.

"We told them through Mowaffaq al-Rubaie that we will remain silent no longer," Khafaf said. "Every option was open."

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[Teaser]

1. No truce...

just heard on CNN.

[papau]

2. CNN has buried Gore speech after 8 hours - not mentioned/linked to

on site or on air.

Not that they would not have done the same to Zola - they are cowards when Bush/Rove call.

[papau]

4. CNN must read DU - GORE speech now on web site.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/05/26/gore.iraq/index.html

[bemildred]

3. You know, I've just stopped giving credence to any of this shit.

You saw it at Faloojah, and now in the South.
Week after week of stories about truce and withdrawals and
negotiations and secret deals, and meanwhile the fighting
goes on, the people keep dying, and nothing is different.
When we get a week with no fighting I will believe something
is changed.