THE United Nations envoy helping to draft an Iraqi interim government told the Bush administration yesterday to "tread carefully" in besieged Fallujah and avoid alienating an already angry populace.

US troops are set to enter parts of Najaf soon to clamp down on a radical Shiite cleric’s rebel militia – but they will stay away from sensitive holy sites in the city to avoid rousing religious outrage, a US general said today.

The United Nations envoy who is helping draft an Iraqi interim government urged President George W Bush’s administration today to “tread carefully” in besieged Fallujah and avoid alienating an already angry populace.

US troops are likely to enter parts of Najaf soon in a move to clamp down on the rebel militia of a radical Shiite cleric but they will stay away from sensitive holy sites in the centre of the city to avoid rousing the anger of Shiites, a US general said today.