US forces and militiamen loyal to rebel cleric Muqtada al-Sadr have agreed to withdraw from the embattled holy city of Karbala, al-Sadr’s office said today.

IRAQI politicians and a top Shi'ite cleric are due to sign the new Iraqi interim constitution charter today.

Iraq’s US administrator, Paul Bremer has been recalled from Baghdad for brainstorming consultations at the White House and the United Nations, in a scramble to salvage a timetable for Iraqi self-rule.