Gunmen opened fire today on thousands of Shiite Muslim marchers heading from Kufa to the twin city of Najaf, killing at least one.

Iraq’s top Shiite cleric is on his way to Najaf today, armed with a new peace initiative and a call for Iraqis to march on the holy city, after he unexpectedly returned home from Britain.

Iraq’s most powerful Shiite cleric was expected to return home from Britain today in a bid to end nearly three weeks of fierce fighting between US forces and Shiite militants in the holy city of Najaf.

Iraq’s top Shiite Muslim cleric Ali al-Husseini al-Sistani, who wields enormous influence among Shiite Iraqis, was returning to the chaotic country today to try to rescue the holy city of Najaf, his spokesman said.